Jesus makes it clear in today’s Gospel reading (part of the Sermon on the Mount) that reconciliation is a non-negotiable aspect of Christian Life. Who do we need to reconcile with today? How can we take the first step in putting the Lord’s command into practice?
The Lord exhorts the disciples to seek a higher standard of holiness. How? By making reconciliation an essential ingredient for following Jesus Christ.
Recognizing our sins and asking for forgiveness challenges us to honestly acknowledge our faults and humbly ask for help. While this is not easy, this process puts us in right relationship with the Lord and one another…allowing us to grow in maturity, wisdom and love.
The prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled in John the Baptist to “prepare the way of the Lord” for the coming of Jesus. Advent offers us the opportunity to make our own preparations as we repent, reconcile and look for the holy.
The Lord invites us to a higher standard as we reconcile our hearts with one another. May we examine our lives today and remove any obstacle that keeps our relationships from growing in God’s grace.