“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24
“These verses are illustrative of the hyperbolic power of Jesus’ teaching. The advice here is eminently impractical. It was surely not possible to lave unattended even a cereal offering in the busy altar area, let alone a pair of pigeons or a lively goat! The point is dramatically made. Whatever our gift to God, it’s acceptance is conditional upon honest repentance concerning the ways in which we have injured our neighbors.”
Douglas R. A. Hare in Matthew, Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching (Louisville: WJKP, 1993) 52.
Don’t you just love the striking nature of Jesus’ teaching? Even as you would never leave your pigeons on the altar, don’t even think of bringing a gift to God if you are at odds with your neighbor. As we think about almsgiving, prayer, and fasting in Lent, it’s important to remember that Jesus is not interested in our giving if our living is out of order. Our human relationships must be reconciled.
I was actually thinking about the conditional nature of forgiveness yesterday while laying on the ground, stretching my aching back, and reciting the Lord’s prayer. Matthew 6:12 is particularly instructive: “And forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.” Think how selfish and silly we are to ask God to forgive us the sins we have committed if we can’t reconcile an issue with a neighbor.
Now let’s relate this to our generosity on our Lenten journey together. Take some time to reflect (fast from other activities) and ask God to bring to mind unreconciled issues or damaged relationships (do this in prayer with God). Resolve to try to make amends with whatever person comes to mind. Then (and only then) go make a gift that will be acceptable to God (give alms generously)!