Ezekiel 18:21-28
Matthew 5:20-26
The picture that I have used today is of our chapel at Turvey. The place in front of the altar is of huge monastic significance. It is there that you stand as a postulant and ask to begin your monastic journey and then some months later you will stand there as you receive your habit. You will stand there at First Profession and make your profession of vows. At Solemn Profession you will prostrate while the community sings the Litany of Saints. As you reach your various Jubilees you will renew your vows on that same spot. And then, when your life has run its course, your coffin will be placed on that same place in front of the altar. Your life has come full circle in front of the altar.
Liturgy and life are intimately connected. What happens in our sacred spaces in symbol and ritual gives us a pattern for our daily lives. In our worship and our daily lives we are called to be upright before God, true to ourselves and reconciled with our neighbour. It’s all of a piece.
Jesus sets us a very high standard today in the Gospel. Our hearts are to be in harmony with our actions.
Is Jesus calling you to reconcile with someone this Lent?