"Go first and be reconciled with your brother"
Matthew 5:24
Today’s Gospel is not my favorite – because it is especially tough. Jesus speaks to all of us about the importance of reconciliation with one another. Notice there is not a disclaimer about how we should seek to reconcile only if we intentionally hurt someone, or if we may have done something we weren’t supposed to do.
Jesus makes it clear that it is OUR responsibility to seek reconciliation, “when we realize that someone has something against us.” Say what? This is opposite from how our world responds to injustice. Our culture today would argue that this is not our problem. Just leave it alone and go on with your life, or post something on social media and publicly ridicule this offender. This is how the world often responds.
Musician and Monk John Michael Talbot has an excellent reflection on this Gospel where he recalls that approaching the altar of the Lord, and realizing that we have something against our brother or sister; well that’s easy – we can go to confession. But if we realize that someone has something against us, we need to go talk to that person first.
This is the challenging part. The prayer of St. Francis seems especially appropriate for these occasions in our life. Why should we bother ourselves with reconciling with those who might be difficult? Because, we want to be instruments of peace. Because where there is hatred, we should be sowing love, and where there is injury, we should be seeking pardons. It doesn’t matter who is injured. It doesn’t matter who feels the hatred. We are called to be instruments of peace in every situation!
Who in my life do I need to seek reconciliation?
Thank you Lord for opening my eyes to the gift your gift of mercy and reconciliation. Help me recognize those who I need to be reconciled, and give me the courage to be an instrument of your peace.
Today’s Reflection is by:
Katie Holland
Did you know...
Katie Holland is the Director of Pastoral Ministry and Outreach at the parish which raised her, Christ the King Catholic Church. A graduate of Villanova University, Katie worked in Campus Ministry at her high school alma mater, Academy of the Holy Names where the sisters taught her to be bold and courageous. After nearly 15 years she transitioned to Parish Ministry and is using her charisms to share God’s love with all those who come to Christ the King. Her family is the greatest gift God has blessed her with, and as a wife and mother of five children, she is learning a lot about sacrificial love. Some of Katie’s favorite things are; writing in her journal, dance parties, and delighting in God’s abounding love.
