First Be Reconciled

Step #1: Lectio / Read

Matthew 5:20-26

​Jesus said to his disciples: 
“I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that
of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother
will be liable to judgment,
and whoever says to his brother,
‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,
and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
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.
Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him.
Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,
and the judge will hand you over to the guard,
and you will be thrown into prison.
Amen, I say to you,
you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

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Step #2: meditatio / Meditate

We try to be a good Catholic family. But life is messy, and things don't look the way I would have done them myself. Take our nightly family prayer time...

We got these cute kids, four of them, eight years old and under. Each night we pray together, telling God what we're thankful for and what we want to ask Him for. Sounds sweet, right?

Yeah, sometimes it is. Other times, not so much.

During prayer time, they still do all that frustrating stuff that siblings do: constantly moving around, arguing with each other, deliberately annoying each other, making each other cry, injuring themselves and others, and even all-out tantrums. If I'm being truthful, I must admit that I've yelled at our kids mid-prayer. "LUCY! LEAVE YOUR SISTER ALONE AND TELL GOD WHAT YOU'RE THANKFUL FOR!" "OUCH! JAMES! SIT STILL OR YOU'LL GO STRAIGHT TO BED! NOW WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ASK GOD FOR?!"

Dad tantrum in the middle of family prayer time? Another "Parent of the Year Award" right here.

Hopefully me yelling at our kids during prayer seems ridiculous to you. That's because it is! There's a sad irony about it. This act of prayer that's supposed to be filled with joy and peace seems incompatible with the way I'm behaving. How can I offer God my love as a fume with anger towards my children?

I think that may be what Jesus was talking to us about today:
"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."

One minute we're venting our anger on our friends and family, the next minute we're speaking words of love and affection towards the Lord. I'm not saying we shouldn't pray when we're angry or until our hearts are perfect. But Jesus recommends that before we offer our gift of prayer to the Father, we should try to reconcile with those around us. Then our words of prayer match the disposition in our heart.

What about right now? During this time of prayer, as you bring your gift to the altar of the Lord's presence, do you sense any bitterness, resentment or grudges against anyone in your life? Or maybe it's the other way around and you've hurt someone else?

Maybe today can be a day of reconciliation and grace.

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Step #3: Oratio / Pray

"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."

Holy Spirit, reveal to me the state of my relationships with my friends and family. Is there anyone who has hurt me that I haven't yet forgiven?

Is there anyone that I've hurt, but haven't made amends with yet?

Lord, show me how these walls hinder my relationship with You.

​Father, what can I do to being the process of reconciliation with those whom I've hurt or who have hurt me?

Jesus, this is hard. Help me. Give me the grace and strength to reconcile with others.

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Step #4: Contemplatio / Contemplate

"Lord, soften my heart."

"Jesus, help me to forgive as You have forgiven me."

"Holy Spirit, heal my relationships."

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For the Rest of Your Day...

Lots of times reconciling with those around us can take time. No need to rush. But what can you do today to begin the process of reconciliation with others?

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Smartphone Lock Screen

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Today's prayer was prepared by Dan Wolff.