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Question 

Dear Father, 

I thank you for your column. I’d like you to clarify to me an excerpt from Matthew’s Gospel in which Jesus tells us that “whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.” I believe that those words shouldn’t be taken literally, meaning that if you say ‘you fool’ to someone, you don’t commit a serious sin.

I’m asking you about it because I had an argument with my sister because she had done something that sounded stupid to me. So, I told her she was crazy, mentally ill and that she needed to get treatment. I realize they aren’t nice things to say, but I think this is just a venial sin. I’d like to know your opinion, whether it is possible. 

Actually, my sister and I have a troubled relationship. Indeed, due to the fact that on one occasion my sister had had a selfish behavior, I told her she was disgusting in a joking way, even if I believed in it a little bit. Can it be considered as another venial sin?

Thank you. 

Answer 

Dear you, 

1.   The term used by Jesus “whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa’ ” used to be used by His contemporaries. To mean stupid, they used the word ‘Raqa’ which means empty. Church Fathers say: God judges people who use this word harshly because no one can be considered empty if they are home to  the Holy Spirit. At the same time, people who know Christ can’t be considered empty or stupid. 

2.   An ancient writer named Chrysostom  – who is not St. John Chrysostom but still is trustworthy –  remembers that “The term ‘raqa’ was spread widely among Jewish people. They used it not because of rage or hate, but because of confidence rather than of anger, for trivial reasons”. He wonders why God considers it as a sin. He answers: “Indeed, if we don’t use good words just for formation, what should be considered a sin more than this?”. So, it is in this perspective that God’s teaching has to be considered. He wants us to be appropriate even in words, “as is fitting among holy ones” (Ephesians 5,3).

3.    It may happen to use those words not to offend someone but to prevent them from doing a wrong action or making a nonsense speech. In this sense, even St. Paul used a word that may seem offensive, but it was not. He said. “Oh stupid Galatians! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?” (Gal 3,1).

4.  “But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.” (Matthew 5,22). About those God’s words, St. Augustine says: “Indeed, in the three statements before us, we must observe that some words are understood. The first statement has all the words that are necessary. “Whosoever,” says he, “is angry with his brother without a cause, shall be in danger of the judgment.” But in the second, when he says, “and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca,” there is understood the expression without cause, and thus there is subjoined, “shall be in danger of the council.” In the third, now, where he says, “but whosoever shall say, Thou fool,” two things are understood, both to his brother and without cause. And in this way we defend the apostle when he calls the Galatians fools, to whom he also gives the name of brethren; for he does not do it without cause.”
(De sermone Domini 1,9).   

5.     Therefore, although the words you used to talk to your sister aren’t a merit to God, they are no more than a venial sin.

I will remember you to the Lord and I bless you. 

Padre Angelo. 

Translated by Giulia Leo