Offering gift to God and Reconciliation

Gospel Thoughts*

*Ordinary Season : 10th Week -  Thursday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 5:20-26*

*First Reading - 1 Cor 3:15-4:1, 3-6*

*Offering gift to God and Reconciliation*

*1) Offering gift to God at the Altar*

Many of us like to offer many things at the Altar, with the belief that we are offering it to God, as a sign of gratitude

We simply believe that whatever we offer at the altar is accepted by God and we are blessed for this gesture 

The Gospel of the day gives us a clear cut understanding of our offering at the altar and the effect of it

*2) Reconciliation is greater than offering gift at the Altar*

At times we find it very hard to believe this. But this is the fact 

If two things are kept in front of God, they are reconciliation and offering gift at the altar, God chooses the reconciliation and not the our offering 

So without reconciliation all gifts which are offered at the altar are waste 

*3) Purity of mind and Heart*

While offering anything on the altar, the purity of mind and heart is necessary. 

A person who goes with the  anger, jealousy, revengeful attitude and with pride against another, and then goes to the altar to offer something to God, is useless. None of his offerings will be accepted by God. 

More than offering something to God, purity of heart and mind is very important than anything else.

*4) Gifts offered to God from wealth, through unjust means*

Some times people donate a big amount, or things to the Holy places from the wealth they accumulated

At times this wealth comes from unlawful ways, by not paying just wages to the workers, and from other immoral ways 

Such a impure wealth or money when it comes to the altar, how can God accept it? 

So one can't fool God by offering the unjust wealth to God

*5) Mere reconciliation is the greatest gift, which can be offered to God*

Among all gifts, the aspect of reconciliation could be considered as the greatest gift, which we can offer to God.

No one calculate the value of reconciliation in terms of money. Therefore its value is much higher than any amount of money value

Like wise, the values like sincerity, humility, truthfulness, holiness, service, generosity, are some of the greatest gifts which we need to offer to God at the altar, instead of unlawful money and wealth 

*6) What gifts do I have to be offered on the altar to God?*

When I reflect my own life, what are the gifts available in my life, to be offered to God

Gifts of sincerity, acceptability, simplicity, service, truthfulness, charity, love, humility, 

Or am I taking the following things to offer to God

My own anger, jealousy, pride, glory of worldly things,  power, authority, influence, etc 

Such things are not accepted by God at any cost 

*Think about it and calculate what acceptable things by God are found in my life?*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*