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.’ 22But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. 23So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. 25Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court 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. 26Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. (Matthew 5:21-26, NRSV)
Jesus steps it up a notch. If he were Emeril Lagasse he would have said “Bam!”
If you are angry with someone else or call them you fool, that is the same as murdering them!
Then there is a part about leaving your gift at the altar and going and making amends with your brother or sister before you bring that gift to the altar for God. Did you know that is why we share the peace before we come to communion? So if there is a need for amends in the congregation there is time to make that happen before you come before the altar of God. We are to cleanse our hearts and prepare to receive the living Christ in the meal of the altar and sometimes our own pettiness gets in the way.
So do not hate in your heart. But love as Christ loves.
aSacredRebel 