Seldom do we see our own wrongs whenever we have quarrels. It is always the fault of the other party. If we win the quarrel, we return home triumphantly. Seldom do we give a thought to the feelings of the "defeated" party. After all, they are the losers and they must be wrong. Why bother think about their feelings. In today's gospel reading, Jesus reminds us to care about the wrong side, the loser side.
"And if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you." (Matthew 5:23)
Here, you do not have any problem. You do not feel wronged. You are not the victim. Rather, you remember that your brother feels bad. He has something against you. He feels bad because of you. Well, why bother? You may think it is none of my business. It is his problem, not mine. But Jesus says, "Love your brother. His problem is yours because he is your brother. You are the keeper of your brother (Genesis 4:9). Relieve him of his problem. Then you are relieving yourself of your future problems. Moreover, act before it is too late!" Only after you have relieved yourself, have reconciled with your brother can you offer your gift (5:24).
If there is no peace between you and your brother, God will keep bugging you until you reconcile with your brother. When your conscience is not peaceful, it will distract you in your offering. Your offering will not be a good one, not a pleasing one to God. How can God accept such an offering? For His good and for your own good, reconcile before the sun sets. Amen.
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