Reconcile with Your Brother or Sister

Homily for Friday of the First Week in Lent

The founder of the Eternal Word Television Network, mother Angelica, is quoted as saying: “If it weren’t for people, we could all be holy!” While this quip is humorous, many of us have probably thought it before.

Ever since Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent, we humans look for excuses and try to place the blame on other people or situations. However, Jesus doesn’t offer such distinctions. He simply says that if we are on our way to the altar and remember a quarrel with our brother, go first and reconcile before making your offering.

Sin breaks relationships just as surely as earthquakes bring down bridges. If we are unloving toward others in our lives, negative thoughts and emotions are probably preventing us from growing closer to the Lord.

The psalm that we use as a response to the first reading today is a remarkable example of what most psalms do; namely, they move us from emotion to a catharsis. The opening line of this psalm strikes fear into our souls. However, a few short verses later, the psalmist explores an eternal truth: “But with you is forgiveness.” From there the psalmist moves to verses that express trust rather than fear.

Lent is a time for us to embrace trust in our God and in our neighbor. We are called upon during this season to reconcile with God and with our neighbor. If we can bring ourselves to forgive, they might forgive as well.