Saturday, March 19, 2011
give us pure heart
Friday's gospel passage is just sometimes for, a dilemma. But on further reflection tonight in prayer, I reach a conclusion.
Jesus warns against anger and how it may lead us to sin when it festers in us long enough. He also warns us about judgement which, according to the Good News Ministries, arises from anger. The later part of the Gospel preaches that we should leave our gifts at the altar, reconcile with our brother and sister first, then return to offer our gifts.
Because I should not judge someone of not reconcilling before he or she presents his or her gift to the altar, it creates a situation where in both scenarios - getting angry and casting judgement - is very much a personal responsibility to avoid. No one is in a position to challenge you without passing a judgement, unless it is very much needed. Nevertheless, one would not like it when being judged this way. Even as I write this, I may be targeting this message to people I think should hear this, and in so doing casting that judgement. O Lord, you indeed make it difficult.
Just a last thought. The Gospel states "if your brother has anything against you, ..." Therefore, even if it was not I who caused the problem or still nursing the grudge, it still falls on my responsibility to reconcile with my brother or sister. In other words, we cannot be in communion with God and with the Body of Christ if we are not in communion with a fellow brother or sister, regardless of whether you or he or she was at fault. We always pray for the Lord's understanding of our human weakness, but we should never take it for granted.
mark
give us pure heart
Friday's gospel passage is just sometimes for, a dilemma. But on further reflection tonight in prayer, I reach a conclusion.
Jesus warns against anger and how it may lead us to sin when it festers in us long enough. He also warns us about judgement which, according to the Good News Ministries, arises from anger. The later part of the Gospel preaches that we should leave our gifts at the altar, reconcile with our brother and sister first, then return to offer our gifts.
Because I should not judge someone of not reconcilling before he or she presents his or her gift to the altar, it creates a situation where in both scenarios - getting angry and casting judgement - is very much a personal responsibility to avoid. No one is in a position to challenge you without passing a judgement, unless it is very much needed. Nevertheless, one would not like it when being judged this way. Even as I write this, I may be targeting this message to people I think should hear this, and in so doing casting that judgement. O Lord, you indeed make it difficult.
Just a last thought. The Gospel states "if your brother has anything against you, ..." Therefore, even if it was not I who caused the problem or still nursing the grudge, it still falls on my responsibility to reconcile with my brother or sister. In other words, we cannot be in communion with God and with the Body of Christ if we are not in communion with a fellow brother or sister, regardless of whether you or he or she was at fault. We always pray for the Lord's understanding of our human weakness, but we should never take it for granted.
mark