A Poem a Sunday

Epiphany 6 A

February 12, 2017

St. Matthew 5:21-37 - NRSV

Concerning Anger

21 “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister,[a] you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult[b] a brother or sister,[c] you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell[d] of fire. 23 So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister[e] has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister,[f] and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court[g] with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

Concerning Adultery

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.[h] 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.[i]

Concerning Divorce

31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Concerning Oaths

33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.[j]

Footnotes:

Matthew 5:22 Gk a brother; other ancient authorities add without cause

Matthew 5:22 Gk say Raca to (an obscure term of abuse)

Matthew 5:22 Gk a brother

Matthew 5:22 Gk Gehenna

Matthew 5:23 Gk your brother

Matthew 5:24 Gk your brother

Matthew 5:25 Gk lacks to court

Matthew 5:29 Gk Gehenna

Matthew 5:30 Gk Gehenna

Matthew 5:37 Or evil

A Poem a Sunday

Epiphany 6 A

Raca

Spitting out

what dwells within

for the Divine to see

is indeed true confession.

Murdering with words

that spring from within

do we not see

how this is sin?

A look of lust

comes from within

when deep in the heart

we objectify women.

A certificate of divorce

will not do.

Look inside your heart;

unfaithful, untrue.

More than true or false

oaths are an art

“Yes!” or “No!”

matters of the heart.

All of life originates

deep within our hearts.

Our actions simply show

our shielded inner parts.

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