Ezekiel 18:21-28 / Matthew 5:20-26
The changes in life are almost like how the weather changes.
Bright sunshine can turn into a thunderstorm in just half an hour.
And the ups and downs of life have also made us respond and react differently.
When we are up and about, and all seems bright and shiny, we will have happy thoughts and nice things to say.
But when we are down and out, and all seems dark and gloomy, then our thoughts will be dark and our words will be sharp.
Those dark and gloomy moments make us frustrated and when things go wrong, we will look for someone to blame.
It is then that sharp and cutting words come out of our mouths, and we will even use abusive words and disparage others.
In the gospel, Jesus teaches us even using words like “Fool” and “Renegade” are so abusive that the punishment is hell fire.
Words reveal the state of our minds and hearts.
When we find ourselves swearing and using abusive words on others in our minds, then we also know what is in our hearts.
Let us ask Jesus to heal our hearts of anger and resentment, and to grant us peace.
With the peace of the Lord in our hearts, may we also have loving thoughts of others and also speak words of peace.