Sunday reflection by Rev. Fr. Carl Kwao-Agboado

Hello friends, I thank God for the beauty of our lives. Today, Jesus continues his instructions to us as we remain with him on the mountain, Mt 5:17-37.

He wants to share with us this week three points for our reflection.

Jesus is the true Legislator; the New Moses. As the legislator, he not only makes the Law but fulfils it. In doing this he gives us the authentic interpretation of the law. He said “You have heard that it was said … BUT I SAY TO YOU. This is the power of his words. He himself is the law. Therefore, friends we need to be law-abiding.

This means we need to understand the mind of the legislator so that we live not by the letter of the Law but by the spirit of the law. He gives us his Spirit who alone searches the depth of God and who accompanies us to live the law which is essentially relational: love.

As the legislator, Jesus invites us to an ancient practice which is called ‘custody of the senses.’ With the sensual world, we live in, with the challenges of unemployment and hunger which easily leads to anger and hatred we need to practice the custody of the senses. We need to be in control of the senses and the mind, guiding them gently but firmly so that we can overcome the challenges of the spiritual life.

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The third point is that Jesus invites us to be serious with our words. He invites us to be firm with our words and decisions: “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” Mt 5:37. Therefore when I am wrong I should accept that I am wrong, apologize sincerely and move on. A Christian should not talk too much and be eager always to justify himself or herself.

Friends with these I hope we will be encouraged to live our lives this week as faithful husbands or wives, faithful students or teachers, faithful employers or employees, but above all faithful disciples of the Kingdom of God.

Remain blessed this week. God loves you.