Word to the Wise
Thursday, June 13, 2013 - Thursday in the 10th Week in Ordinary Time
[2 Cor 3:15—4:1, 3-6 and Matt 5:20-26]Therefore, if you bring your gift to the alter, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave you gift there at the alter, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
JUNE 13, 2013 ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA, OFM, priest and doctor of the church
When we receive the Eucharist at the celebration of Mass, we speak of "going to communion!" I think that if I were to ask someone who said that, "Communion with whom?" they might think I was being strange! "Communion with Jesus, of course!" they might retort! If I ask "How did you prepare for this important moment?" They might look again at me in a quizzical way and respond, "Well, I went to confession just before Mass (or, at least recently)." Then might come an awful question: "So you are reconciled with everyone in your life and no one has anything against you, or you against them?" That might end the discussion!
I have spoken here about an "examination of conscience" that I use in parish mission and retreat reconciliation services. The focus is not on "actions" but on relationships. Where is there a lack of reconciliation in our life? Is reconciliation in the church limited to the Sacrament of Reconciliation? Can we only say, "I'm sorry!" or "I apologize, please forgive me!", in a special room with a priest? Jesus' words today, taken from the Sermon on the Mount, are a difficult challenge. We are not called to love God only, but also our neighbor! Reconciliation is not complete till it is with both! AMEN