Thou Shall Not Kill

"You have heard that it was said to our people in the past: Do not commit murder; anyone who does kill will have to face trial. But now I tell you: whoever gets angry with his brother will have to face trial. Whoever insults his brother deserves to be brought before the council, whoever humiliates his brother deserves to be thrown into the fire of hell." - Matthew 5:21-22

Without realizing it, each of us has a set of standards we live up to and measure others against. Sometimes it's easy to justify ourselves and our behavior by saying, "I'm a good person, I don't kill or steal." But our standards aren't as high as God's because His love is purer and His heart is capable of more love than ours. I know that sometimes there are people in our lives who we want nothing more than to punch in the face or tell them something to make them feel as bad as they've made us feel or someone we love feel, but for one moment, put on the heart of God. You know how sometimes you could have a brother or sister, or maybe a parent you criticize all day long but the moment someone else says the same thing about them you get really offended and defensive? It's the same way that God works. He loves each of His children so much, even those who might deserve to get punched in the face, that it hurts Him for you to even look at them in the wrong way. You can hurt the body or kill the body, but hurtful words can kill the soul, and that is murder. Think of wounds you may have that have been the result of words… they hurt more than physical injuries. But before you think it's just not fair, our God sees those that hurt you in the very same way. He doesn't want you to hurt any of His children, but like a good parent, He makes sure to correct what is wrong when you go to Him for healing.

The next time you go to confession, ask yourself if you have killed the soul of one of your brothers… maybe you've cursed them out… maybe you've gossiped about them behind their back… maybe you've humiliated them in public… any of these things is murder in the eyes of our loving God.

Today's Prayer:
Lord, You hold each of us up to such high standards. Give me the grace to meet them. Forgive me for the many times I have hurt those around me by my words and by my actions. Please, Father, never allow me to do it again, instead treat everyone with the love You want me to have for them, no matter how they've hurt me. In Jesus' Name, amen.