Angry with his brother (Sabong News)
Author
Manila Bulletin
Date
MARCH 11 2022
Commenting on the Decalogue in his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus focuses on the Fifth Commandment: “You shall not kill” (Ex 20:13). Murder, first committed by Cain against his brother Abel, makes the victim’s blood cry out to God from the ground (Gn 4:10). Jesus says that evil actions come from the heart and defile a person, evil thoughts and murder among them (Mt 15:19-20). Hence, he says that anger, malice, and evil intents are to be expurgated from the heart before they translate to actual killing. There are actions that “kill softly,” that destroy a person without the shedding of blood. One is to use an abusive language like calling someone Raqa. In the age of social media, many are victimized by cyber bullying. And since time immemorial there is gossiping. Pope Francis admonishes us to beware of gossiping because it kills. The tongue kills like a knife, and the person who gossips is a like terrorist who throws a bomb and walks away, destroying.
Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.
“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”
