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.
A fellow once came to me, ostensibly to complete his "fifth step" for his twelfth step of sobriety. With the fifth step, one admits to oneself, to God, and to another person the exact nature of their character defects. However, in this case, the gentleman had been sent by a judge to attend an AA meeting and to do the steps. And so he spoke of only one character defect, which was precisely that the police should not have been waiting to catch drunks as they drove away from that particular watering hole.
He had plenty of excuses for what had happened, but none involved his drinking, much less his character defects.
Lent anticipates Holy Week as John the Baptist anticipated the coming of Jesus. It comes with the same intense warning, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" There is no time for hesitation or delay. Don't even think about your excuses for why you were caught unawares. Think about "Repent!"
The Judge will not listen to your complaint about your Christian brother or sister. Nor will the Judge listen to your tedious explanations and justifications for wrong behavior. But he might listen to your sister's or brother's complaint against you! So forget about what you might say to the judge and settle with your opponent before the Judge arrives.
The Judge might listen to your plea for mercy if you were merciful to others. And he might hear your prayer, "O Lord, have mercy on us who had no mercy on you."
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.