The sermon on the mount. Plate 28 by William Hole RSA. Always associated with the Beatitudes.

Today’s Gospel focusses on another part of the discourse – the warning against bearing anger. No matter how long you nurse a grudge, it doesn’t get better. A good admonition on approaching the altar too. The disciples on Mt Thabor would have understood him in the context of the temple sacrifices. Today it seems to point to preparing for Communion – but could go for any prayer. And since we should pray always, we need to forgive always.

Here is the text of the day’s Gospel:

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: Except your justice abound more than that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill, shall be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother: Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say: Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath anything against thee, leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother; and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift

vade prius reconciliari fratri tuo:

go first to be reconciled to thy brother

And here is the copywork/colouring in page to print out:

Pentecost05

Next is Fr Nadal’s illustration – Jesus talking with the disciples with five vignettes in the clouds above. Murder, slander, court, fire breathing dragon and the man leaving his gift at the altar to go be reconciled.

Anger should be restrained, Compescitur iracundia. From Gospel Illustrations by Jerome Nadal SJ.

Thanks for reading. God bless you and I hope you have a great weekend.