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Pay It Forward: A Reflection on Matthew 5:20–26

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"For I tell you, if your uprightness does not surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of Heaven." —Matthew 5:20

This Gospel reading challenges us to go beyond surface-level righteousness. Jesus often confronted the self-proclaimed holiness of the scribes and Pharisees—those who were more concerned with following rules than with loving God and sharing His love with others. The righteousness Jesus calls us to is deeper. It’s about loving God with all our heart, mind, spirit, and strength—and loving our neighbor as ourselves.

I often ask myself: Do I love others with that same spirit? Would my friends and family say I do? What about the students, parents, and staff at St. Stephen Protomartyr School and Parish? Do I see Christ in the strangers I meet throughout the day? In those asking for help at intersections and on city streets?

Especially in these challenging times, we are called to uphold peace, love, and justice in all we do. Even small acts of kindness can ripple outward and inspire others. Just last Friday, I stopped at the local QT on my way to school. When I reached the counter, I realized I had forgotten my wallet. I told the clerk I’d be back in five minutes. A kind woman nearby said, “I got this.” I tried to decline, but she insisted, saying, “Just pay it forward.” She didn’t know me, yet she treated me the way she’d want to be treated—a simple, powerful act of grace.

Later in today’s Gospel, Jesus urges us to reconcile with our brothers and sisters, warning of serious consequences if we don’t. Whenever I read about being handed over to a judge, my mind drifts to Judgment Day—standing before Jesus, the final judge, reviewing my life. I used to struggle with judging others, until I had an epiphany while reading Matthew 7: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” That hit home.

Today’s reading reminds us that we are all human, prone to mistakes, but worthy of forgiveness. If God forgives our sins—no matter how severe—through the sacrament of reconciliation, shouldn’t we offer that same grace to others?

A few years ago, I heard a phrase that changed how I approach relationships:
“You love Jesus Christ as much as the person you love the least.”
That’s a powerful truth. Loving others means forgiving them. And if God can forgive and love this flawed individual, then I can do my part to “pay it forward”—to forgive and love others with all my heart, mind, spirit, and strength.

Call to Action:
This week, I invite you to reflect on your own relationships. Is there someone you need to forgive? Someone you’ve judged too harshly? Take a moment to reach out, reconcile, or simply show kindness. And if you’re on the receiving end of grace, don’t forget to pay it forward. Let your love be the kind that transforms hearts and brings glory to God’s holy name.

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