Reconcile

Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.” Matthew 5:21-26 

Families sometimes have the hardest reconciling.  We know each other so well and we can push each other's buttons faster than anyone. We hurt each other and get hurt by one another so easily. Yet, it is in our families, where we can learn how to reconcile, forgive and be more than just combatants.  We can learn that love is forgiveness and mercy, patience and honesty and we can practice loving together.

Jesus pressed his disciples hard on the issue of reconciliation because it is so critical to our lives together. Without it we are nothing. To follow Jesus means to reconcile, forgive and love those who make us crazy. To be in Christian community means to practice forgiveness moment by moment which is incredibly hard, and the work we must do.

Today I ask God for the strength to love beyond measure, forgiving and reconciling every moment. May we all practice our faith by seeking reconciliation, leaving our pretense behind and seeking others out so we might worship and serve together.