The word Raca is an Aramaic term of contempt and, according to Jesus, those who use it ought to be hauled before the authorities. (Matthew 5:21-22)
For a long time I have been proud of the fact that I have never committed murder. I can read with equanimity that part of the Sermon on the Mount which warns against being angry. I am not naturally an angry person. But I have only just discovered a worse attitude than anger - contempt. Anger makes you want to hurt other people. Contempt for them means you don't care if they get hurt or not. I may never say Raca, but if I look in my heart I find that I do harbour feelings of mild contempt for certain people or types of people. I don't care about them.
Lord, help me respect everyone I encounter today. Help me to recognise them as fellow human beings. Help me to care about their lives as much as I care about my own.
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