TODAY’S READINGS

Today’s Gospel (Mt 5:20-26), from the Sermon on the Mount, ends with these words of Jesus:

“Amen, I say to you,
you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.” (v. 26)

“Keeping debtors in prison until family or friends paid off the debts was a Roman rather than Old Testament practice. Jesus uses this practice as a comparison for what happens to those who face God’s judgment without having been reconciled with others (see 18:33-35 for another us of this comparison). Being required to pay off debts down to the last penny means being held accountable by God fro all that we do or fail to do. A failure to seek reconciliation with those who have something against us will not go unnoticed when we stand before God’s judgment.” (Bringing the Gospel of Matthew to Life, 87)

I’ve always found this last line in the section about unrighteous anger consoling. It seems quite plain to me that this verse indicates the reality of Purgatory (I encourage you to read this entire post that deals with just this verse and topic). Clearly this entire pericope is speaking of judgment and the consequences of our actions on how we will be judged. Yes, Gehenna is really a possibility (and, no, it’s not empty), as Jesus says, but for those who do not make a complete break with God, but who need some cleaning up, there is the consolation of a place of purgation. Not knowing the pain of this state, and aiming for heaven, we should hearken to the fact, as the old commercial stated, that “you can pay me now, or pay me later.” Take care of penance and reparation here and now.

Let us pray that our anger does not get the best of us here, and if it does, that we make amends quickly and completely, so that our debt owed is not exorbitant, and our time away from God is short.

And let us not forget the poor debtors, exemplified in the drawing below, who have preceded us in death and are begging for our alms (Masses and other prayers) in order to be released soon.

God bless.