Word to the Wise
Thursday, June 9, 2016 - Thursday in the 10th Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Kgs 18:41-46 and Matt 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 offer your gift." [Matthew]
The importance that Jesus gives to reconciliation and forgiveness could hardly be clearer than we see in the words from today's gospel. Reconciliation is placed before worship! In chapter 18 of this gospel, there is even a process given for reconciliation! [Mt. 18:15-17] This is followed by the parable of the Unforgiving Servant. When we get to the Lord's Prayer in a few days, the importance of forgiveness will be very clear.
There is a difference between reconciliation and forgiveness. The former is not always possible because more than one person is involved. The latter is ALWAYS possible because we can decide on our own to forgive. Jesus exhorts us to do both, recognizing in Matt. 18 that sometimes it may not be possible. But forgiveness - always possible.
In the Jubilee Year of Mercy, many dioceses are making special efforts to extend the Sacrament of Reconciliation to as many people as possible. But the Sacrament is only the beginning of the process. Reconciliation with God is not the same as reconciliation with the neighbor. Receiving forgiveness from God without forgiving the neighbor is fruitless. Jesus' words are clear and don't give us much, if any, "wiggle room." If we make the effort, God will help. AMEN
config
view
logs
3840.0 KB
119 ms
4
