Know Before You Go

Jesus in today's Gospel urges us to move beyond mere rule-following toward interior moral maturity. Jesus calls us to shape intentions, speech, and character — not just outward obedience — and Fr. Charlie also warns against the corrosive effects of outrage-driven media and coarse public discourse. Drawing on Lincoln’s “better angels” and the modern group Braver Angels, Father Charlie encourages respectful, truthful, and charitable speech — especially as we approach Lent. Timestamps / Timeline 0:02 — Welcome & purpose of this reflection 0:15 — Gospel context: expectations about the Lamb of God 0:40 — Jesus doesn’t abolish the law; he deepens it 1:14 — Internal appropriation: shaping intentions and character 1:47 — Examples: avoid slander, lust, false oaths; cultivate integrity 2:29 — Moral maturity vs. childish obedience 3:47 — Outrage media and the economy of rage clicks 4:32 — How rage clicks fuel uncharitable, coarse discourse 5:51 — Lincoln’s “better angels” — a call to higher civic speech 6:30 — Braver Angels: renewing civil culture across differences 7:19 — Practical call: step back from outrage; speak charitably 8:13 — Lent: reflect on your language and public discourse 8:47 — Closing blessing What to expect - A concise, pastoral take on Matthew’s teaching about interior virtue and speech - Reflection on contemporary political/online discourse and practical steps toward respectful engagement - A Lenten prompt to examine words and intentions Chapters (useful for uploads with chapter markers) 00:00 Intro 00:15 Gospel Context 00:40 Deeper Law & Intentions 01:14 Integrity & Examples 02:29 Growing Moral Maturity 03:47 Outrage Media Explained 05:51 Lincoln & Better Angels 06:30 Braver Angels & Civic Repair 07:19 Practical Advice 08:13 Lenten Reflection 08:47 Closing Hashtags #GospelReflection #Catholic #Lent #CivilDiscourse #MoralMaturity #BraverAngels #FatherCharlieBouchard #MatthewGospel