Word to the Wise
Friday, March 11, 2022 - 1st Week of Lent - Fri
[Ezek 18:21-28 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 and offer your gift. [Matthew]
Forgiveness and reconciliation receive considerable emphasis in the Gospel According to Matthew. Was it because of conflict in his community? No doubt these values were difficult then as they are now. The passage above is followed by the words right after Jesus gives us "the Our Father:" If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions. [Matt. 6:14-15] Further on in this same gospel the evangelist quotes Jesus as providing a process of reconciliation. [Matt. 18:15-17] and follows this with the parable of the Unforgiving Servant! [Matt. 18:21-35]. With this gospel alone it is clear that Jesus preached forgiveness as an essential element of following him. How good are we at forgiving?
I have mentioned before the "examination of conscience" that I use in retreats and parish missions that focuses on the need to forgive. The range of candidates goes from God to self to all the different relationships and encounters in our everyday life. I hear many a description about another person who did this or that particularly painful thing which ends with the question, "Do I HAVE to forgive that person?" The answer, according to the gospel, is YES. What about the quote from today's gospel? Do we need to ASK forgiveness from someone whom we have hurt? Jesus puts this duty ahead of worship!!! So, the answer again is YES.
The ultimate example of forgiveness happened at the crucifixion: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." If one is looking for a Lenten penance, forgiveness and reconciliation are a great place to begin. AMEN