Daily Inspiration

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.” -Matthew 5:21-26

Once, I was a man driving down a road controlled by my enemy, yet believing I was destined for the Kingdom. In a flash, my opponent handed me to the Judge, and the Judge handed me to the guard, who threw me into prison.

My sentence was an eternity. Everything I had was a gift from God, and I spent it all but could not free myself. Finally, I understood I had nothing of my own to give, and my own workings could not liberate me. Only when I paid the last penny, was I washed clean by the Blood of the Lamb and released.

Believe there is a Purgatory or not, I cannot force a change in your mind. Pray that it is because the path is narrow that leads to our Lord, and the opponent is cunning and works day and night to ensure plenty of fuel for the fires of Gehenna.

Saint Polycarp of Smyrna, pray for us.

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Jesus, I trust in you!