A sermon by Rev. Mitch Hay and Rev. Barb Lemmel
Gospel Lesson Matthew 5:21-24, 27-37
As you know, our ancestors were told, ‘You must not kill’, and ‘Whoever kills will be subject to judgment’. But I tell you: Those who are angry with a companion will be brought before a tribunal. And those who say to the companion, ‘You moron,’ will be subject to the sentence of the court. And whoever says, ‘You idiot,’ deserves the fires of Gehenna.
So, even if you happen to be offering your gift at the altar and recall that your friend has some claim against you, leave your gift there at the altar. First go and be reconciled with your friend, and only then return and offer your gift…
As you know, we once were told, ‘You are not to commit adultery.’ But I tell you: Those who leer at a woman and objectify her have already committed adultery with her in their hearts.
If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into Gehenna.
We were once told, ‘Whoever divorces his wife should give her a bill of divorce.’ But I tell you: Everyone who divorces his wife (except in the case of infidelity) makes her the victim of adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Again, as you know, our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break an oath,’ and ‘Oaths sworn in the name of God must be kept.’ But I tell you: Don’t swear at all. Don’t invoke heaven, because it is God’s footstool, and don’t invoke Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great king. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the Evil One.”
