In the Sermon on the Mount, the quintessence of the new covenant, Jesus expresses His divinity by superseding the old law in several ways. Jesus' first such statement is: "You have heard the commandment imposed on your forefathers, 'You shall not commit murder; every murderer shall be liable to judgment.' What I say to you is: everyone who grows angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment" (Mt 5:21-22). Anger, angry words, and angry thoughts are forbidden (Mt 5:22). Even if we are not angry with anyone but someone is angry with us, we must halt even our worship and "go first to be reconciled" immediately (Mt 5:23-24). Otherwise, we may be thrown into a prison of some sort, and we "will not be released until" we "have paid the last penny" (Mt 5:26).

Even if we are reconciled with everyone and everyone with us, we still must proclaim the message of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:19-20) and work in the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18). Reconciliation is such a high priority for Jesus that He reconciled "everything in His person, both on earth and in the heavens, making peace through the blood of His cross" (Col 1:20; Eph 2:16). We as disciples of Jesus must make reconciliation a very high priority. "We implore you, in Christ's name: be reconciled to God!" (2 Cor 5:20)

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, August 9, 2000

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 18, 2000