Matthew 5:23-24 “Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother and then come and offer your gift.”

Today’s lesson from Jesus is another one that we may have heard many times and because of that, we can take for granted that we know what it means. We can assume we know what Jesus is teaching us and miss something small and subtle but oh so important. Let’s unpack this section of Matthew 5. 

Here are the disciples listening to this wonderful preaching of Jesus. He’s passing on some amazing wisdom on this sermon on the mount. They’ve heard about the beatitudes, how to be salt and light in the world, and how important it is to follow the law of the Lord. When He calls them to surpass the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, I wonder if they looked at each other in confusion. That might have seemed a tall order for these common people who didn’t have all day to pray and study the faith.

But then He goes right into a lesson on anger and He shows them what it means to not just follow the law, but understand why the law exists. The law is not the end, but a means to reach the real goal of being more like Christ. It’s not about just refraining from killing, it begins with not holding on to the anger that leads to the desire to kill. It’s about not even calling someone raqa (empty headed) or a fool because these are dangerous too. So, why does Jesus want us to go deeper? Because the anger and the negative talk is the seed that leads to deeper sin. It is why our Church reminds us that mortal sins are deadly, but venial sins, if left unchecked, can grow and harm our souls as well. 

The next section (verses 23 and 24) of this passage calls for a careful read. Take a moment and just slowly read that passage above. Because we may miss the fact that Jesus says one word that can change how you’ve thought of this passage for years. The word is YOU. “...and there recall that your brother has anything against you…” I have heard this passage so many times and always thought that if I recall something that someone has done to me and I need to forgive them because it’s keeping me angry or hurt and I need to let it go. I think it’s because we hear in the Our Father, that we are to forgive others as we hope to be forgiven. 

But, this is about something I have done to someone else. This is about something my ‘brother’ has against me! Ouch! This is not their sin but mine. Jesus is calling me to repentance. It’s me that needs to ask forgiveness and correct my mistakes, then I can return to the Lord. This is more than just a reprimand of what I’ve done wrong. This is an invitation from Jesus to come to Him and be healed in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Let that resonate in your heart today and then make sure you make the time to accept the invitation. 

Reflection Questions: When was the last time you went to confession? When was the last time you made a really good examination of conscience? Lent is the perfect time to go deeper than the surface level sins and let all the ugly out. Jesus is ready to receive it and heal you in a way no one else can. 

Prayer: Jesus, help me to look within myself and be honest about the things I’ve done or said. Help me to have the courage to ask for forgiveness of others and of you. Amen.