Friday 1st week of Lent
"Mt 5:20-26"
"You have heard that it was said to the men of old, 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.' Everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."
Few things wound the heart of a father more than seeing that his children don't love one another. And few sins wound the Divine Heart of our Father God more than bitterness between His children. During Lent we try to grow in charity, which is always the most important virtue. So much so, that Jesus warns us, 'if ever you come to offer anything to Me,' make sure that you are at peace with my other children first. If you aren't, then "leave your gift there before the altar and go", for I will not accept your offering until you are "reconciled to your brother."
Some people think that only Cain, with his blood-stained hands, would be forbidden to offer up other sacrifices. But there are so many ways to harm others! Indifference, scorn, insensitivity, laughing at others' mistakes, indiscretion, rudeness, ingratitude, sarcasm, irony, gossip, bearing grudges, impatience, and so many other names for selfishness...
During Lent there are lots of suitable sacrifices to offer up, but remember: over and above any sacrifice… Charity! It would be useless to give up chocolate and be angry all the time, talking back to everyone. 'Keep eating chocolate, please', your friends will advise you, 'and leave us alone!' What's the point of fasting in Lent if you become insufferable at home? 'Stop fasting, please', your family will tell you, 'we can't cope with your fasting!' So first of all, choose sacrifices that those around you would like.
Ask Our Lord for help to always be charitable towards everyone, so that, at any time of our life, we're ready to stand before His altar.
Holy Mary, Mother of Mercy, help me grow in the virtue of charity!
