Scriptural Texts:
– 1 Peter 3:8–15
– Matthew 5:20–24
In the liturgical calendar of the Traditional Roman Rite, Thursday of the Fifth Week after the Octave of Pentecost continues the Church’s meditative journey through the Epistle of St. Peter and Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount. The themes presented in today’s Mass readings—mutual charity, interior righteousness, and reconciliation—are deeply resonant with the Church’s perennial call to holiness not merely in external actions, but in the purity of the heart.
I. “Be ye all of one mind” (1 Peter 3:8)
St. Peter exhorts the faithful to live in unity, “having compassion one of another, being lovers of the brotherhood, merciful, modest, humble.” His words are not abstract ideals but practical instructions for Christians striving to manifest the life of Christ within a fallen world.
St. Augustine reflects on this unity of mind and heart in his Homilies on the First Epistle of John, writing:
“He that has charity is not jealous; and he that is not jealous rejoices with the other. If you love unity, you are not jealous of your brother’s good. If you are not jealous, you love the brotherhood.”
The Apostle continues by urging us not to render evil for evil, but to bless—“for unto this are you called, that you may inherit a blessing.” This teaching echoes Our Lord’s own precepts in the Gospel and is deeply countercultural: to bless those who harm us, to seek peace actively, and to live in such a way that our conduct shines before men.
St. John Chrysostom, in his Homilies on First Peter, emphasizes this as a key Christian distinction:
“What is more blessed than to imitate God? For if He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust, what excuse can we have if we do not imitate Him?”
II. “Except your justice abound…” (Matthew 5:20)
Our Lord’s words from the Mount pierce to the heart of the matter: the righteousness that pleases God must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. This is not a righteousness of multiplied fasts or scrupulous observances, but of the interior man renewed by grace.
In this passage, Christ deepens the commandment, “Thou shalt not kill,” by teaching that even harboring anger, insults, or contempt toward one’s brother is liable to judgment. The phrase “Raca”—an Aramaic insult meaning “empty-head”—signals a contempt of heart, not merely words. Our Lord teaches that reconciliation with our brother must precede even the act of worship: “Leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled.”
This is a humbling call. In traditional piety, even the approach to Holy Communion is preceded by the “kiss of peace” in the Solemn High Mass, reflecting the need to be at peace with one’s brethren before receiving the Sacrament of Peace Himself.
St. Cyprian of Carthage, in De Oratione Dominica, warns:
“God does not receive the sacrifice of one who is not at peace with his brother. He commands us to turn back from the altar and first be reconciled. God can be appeased only by prayers that make peace.”
III. The Spirit of the Liturgy in This Time After Pentecost
This Thursday, situated within the quiet season after Pentecost, draws us back to the practical living-out of the gifts of the Holy Ghost. The fire of Pentecost was not merely for ecstasy or zeal, but for meekness, charity, patience, and humility—the fruits listed in today’s Epistle.
St. Gregory the Great, reflecting on post-Pentecost living, reminds us:
“The Holy Spirit’s coming was manifested with tongues of fire, but He remains with the soul in silence, shaping it with virtues.” (Homiliae in Evangelia)
The traditional Roman liturgy, in this time, lacks the festive character of Easter or the solemnity of Lent—but it demands no less spiritual effort. The green vestments signal growth, patience, and a hidden vitality, much like the virtues extolled by St. Peter and demanded by Christ.
Conclusion: The Quiet Heroism of Meekness
In these readings, the Church teaches that holiness consists not in extraordinary works alone, but in the sanctification of our ordinary relationships: restraining anger, blessing those who wrong us, and humbling ourselves for the sake of unity and peace. This is the justice that exceeds that of the Pharisees—a justice rooted in charity and humility.
Let us take today’s words to prayer with Psalm 33, which St. Peter cites:
“Who is the man that desires life, and loves to see good days? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Turn away from evil and do good: seek after peace and pursue it.” (Ps 33:13–15)
In this season of quiet fidelity, may we, under the mantle of the Blessed Virgin and the guidance of the saints, grow in the true righteousness that pleases God—peaceful, humble, and reconciled.