Gift on the Altar and Reconciliation with brother. Which is more important

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 6th Week - Sunday*

*Gospel : Mt 5:17-37 or 5:20-22a, 27-28, 33-34a, 37*

*First Reading : Sir 15:15-20*

*SECOND READING 1 Cor 2:6-10*

*Gift on the Altar and Reconciliation with brother. Which is more important?*

*1) Two things are Highlighted*

In the Gospel of the day, there are many important things which are highlighted. 

Among them two are very important and have lot of implications to our life 

Gift on the altar and reconciliation with brother. 

Need to analyse which is more important in our life 

*2) Gift on the Altar*

This is one of the important and most appealing gestures for all of us 

We love to offer gifts on the Altar and we firmly believe that whatever we offer on the altar, we give to God Himself 

So this has a deeper meaning in our life 

*3) Reconciliation with Brother*

One of the most difficult tasks of our life is reconciling with others

Many of us find extremely difficult to forgive our brothers and sisters and to maintain a good and healthy relationship 

Reconciliation needs a lot of humility and one needs to accept ones weaknesses and shortcomings

*4) Gift on the altar and its value for God*

We offer something to God. But if does not accept our gift what is the use? 

This is what happens when we fail to reconcile with our brothers and sisters 

Many of our offerings have no value for God because there is a problem of reconciliation

*5) Reconciliation is the Foundation for the gift on the altar*

These are not two unrelated things 

They are closely related with each other 

The value of the gift on the altar fully depends on the reconciliation. 

If the reconciliation is taken away the gift has no value. It becomes useless. 

So there is no offering of gift without reconciliation

*6) Reconciliation is the greatest gift on the altar*

There is no greater gift than reconciliation. 

Wherever there is reconciliation, the gift is unconditionally accepted by God 

Reconciliation is the greatest gift of our life on the altar 

*7) Relationship is the common factor*

In both realities the aspect of relationship is more important

In reconciliation the relationship takes the primary place

In offering of gift on the altar the relationship between God and myself takes the primary place 

The relationship between God and me depends on the relationship between our brothers and sisters 

So taken away the good relationship, nothing remains 

*Which is more important in my life? gift on the altar of Reconciliation?*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*