Word to the Wise
Thursday, June 10, 2010 - Thursday in the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Kings 18:41-46 and Matthew 5:20-26]Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. [Matthew]
I think many good Catholics might read this passage from today's gospel scripture and interpret it to mean that a person should go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving communion at Mass. While that may be a sound spiritual practice, it is not what Jesus is referring to in this passage from the Sermon on the Mount. He is referring to human relationships that are characterized by anger, resentment or any violent thoughts or actions. One's relationship with God is tied in with one's relationship with neighbor! To "make one's offering" to God while in a state of alienation from one's neighbor does not fulfill the greatest of the commandments! Reconciliation is a broader task than the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Sacrament may be the starting point of the process. Many penitents believe, however, that sacramental absolution relieves them from the necessity to address the problematic relationship that has given rise to sinful thoughts or actions toward another person. I know from my experience as a pastor, or simply as a Christian, that forgiveness of or seeking forgiveness from another person is difficult. If we took Jesus' words quite literally, we would have to build warehouses next to our churches to hold all the gifts left "in abeyance till reconciliation occurs." The communion lines would be a lot shorter! We cannot give up on the task simply because it is difficult. Our failures to forgive or seek reconciliation may be forgiven by God but that forgiveness does not relieve us of our responsibility. AMEN
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