Matthew 5: 17-37 You have learnt how it was said to your ancestors;
but I say this to you.
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to complete them.
I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear,
not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law
until its purpose is achieved.
Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments
and teaches others to do the same
will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven;
but the man who keeps them and teaches them
will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.
‘For I tell you, if your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.
‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors:
You must not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court.
But I say this to you:
anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court;
if a man calls his brother “Fool” he will answer for it before the Sanhedrin;
and if a man calls him “Renegade” he will answer for it in hell fire.
So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar
and there remember that your brother has something against you,
leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first,
and then come back and present your offering.
Come to terms with your opponent in good time
while you are still on the way to the court with him,
or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer,
and you will be thrown into prison.
I tell you solemnly, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny.
‘You have learnt how it was said:
You must not commit adultery. But I say this to you:
if a man looks at a woman lustfully,
he has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
If your right eye should cause you to sin, tear it out and throw it away;
for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you
than to have your whole body thrown into hell.
And if your right hand should cause you to sin, cut it off and throw it away;
for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you
than to have your whole body go to hell.
‘It has also been said:
Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a writ of dismissal.
But I say this to you:
everyone who divorces his wife, except for the case of fornication,
makes her an adulteress;
and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
‘Again, you have learnt how it was said to our ancestors:
You must not break your oath, but must fulfil your oaths to the Lord.
But I say this to you: do not swear at all, either by heaven, since that is God’s throne;
or by the earth, since that is his footstool;
or by Jerusalem, since that is the city of the great king.
Do not swear by your own head either,
since you cannot turn a single hair white or black.
All you need say is “Yes” if you mean yes, “No” if you mean no;
anything more than this comes from the evil one.’
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Copyright © 1996-2021 Universalis Publishing Limited: see
www.universalis.com.
Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc.
Text of the Psalms: Copyright © 1963, The Grail (England). All rights reserved.
Prayers of Intercession
We bring before our heavenly Father, Pope Francis and give thanks for his visit to South Sudan and Congo. May the message of the Gospel of peace, reconciliation and dignity of all find a home in everyone’s heart both here and in Africa.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer.
We ask that our Lord speak into the hearts of our leaders that they will seek God’s life giving wisdom in making decisions about the economy, health care and justice. We pray that the voices of those most vulnerable will be heard and decisions made that will give hope and dignity to all.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer.
For the people suffering the effects of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria that the international community will be generous in giving practical help and also assist with the long term healing of these communities after such loss of life, homes and livelihoods. We give thanks for those who have responded quickly and generously to the needs of their brothers and sisters.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer.
We pray for our faith communities in south east Edinburgh, that in this season of Lent we will encourage each other to seek the Lord and turn to him more deeply in our hearts, sharing with each other our own unique God-given gifts for the building up on the body of Christ. We pray our efforts will bear fruit so that we will be salt and light to the communities in which we live and work.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer.
We bring before our Lord and our Lady those who are unwell in mind, body or spirit , that they and those who care for them will know God’s peace and strength especially as they await surgery or test results . We remember especially those named by the Prayer Foundation.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer.
For those in our parishes, communities and families, who have passed away recently and those whose anniversaries are at this time , that they will rest in peace in the love of God. We ask that their loved ones be comforted by God’s Holy Spirit. We remember especially those named by the Prayer Foundation:
Betty Dickinson, Pauline Howie, Bridie Short, Violet Glancy.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer.
We will now say our prayer to be Missionary Disciples.