First Be Reconciled

‘You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder”; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.” But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement; 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

We have all gotten our feelings hurt, and even worse been permanently harmed by someone. Very few of us will admit to the hurt and harm we have caused others. Humility, apologizing and forgiving are hard for us to live into, although the center of our Christian lives. How hard it is to forgive those who wound us, intentionally or by accident. Yet, Jesus strongly invites us, actually charges us, to apologize and forgive, day in and day out. When we forgive, we stop carrying the wounds we have, we begin the healing process and sets the other free. When we apologize, we loose the pain we carry and open our hearts to God's healing love, and we offer up the possibility of reconciliation. Nothing may happen instantly. Yet Christ promises to be there in every moment.

Gracious Creator, you bind up our wounds

you carry us through storms and rough ground

you provide us with food, shelter and family

and your love hovers across this wide earth.

We want to be righteous and always fail

often blaming our failures on innocent others

we forget to wake with forgiveness in our hearts

and so we wrestle at night, angry and sleepless.

Help us to know you way of peace now

the way which is paved with forgiveness

the road which we litter with our apologies

is the road of healing, love and freedom. Amen.