In the Gospel today Jesus condemns those who break the commandments, but he adds the extra line “and teaches other to do so.” The words of our lives may sound upright but do our actions imitate the words we profess? Too often in my own life I forget that my own actions (both good and bad) can be teachable moments for those around me.

As we enter deeper into the Lenten season the Gospel challenges us to reflect on how our actions lead others to Jesus or whether they lead them away from the Kingdom. Let us ask God for the grace to observe and demonstrate the commandments, and so reflect the great Kingdom of heaven.

—Fr. Tom Neitzke, S.J. serves as president of Creighton Prep, Omaha, NE.