Go first and be reconciled with your brother. (Mt. 5:20-26)

Today’s gospel is part of the Sermon on the Mount.  In this section, Jesus continues to contrast what genuine virtue is, in comparison to external observance of the Law as the Pharisees believed.  In the earlier part of this chapter, Jesus addresses where true holiness lay: the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful…and to clarify, true righteousness came through relationships. We are instructed to forgive one another as well as to seek forgiveness before offering our gift. The final verses are uncomfortable. There were consequences for remaining in our stubbornness and anger. We are to strive for reconciliation. ¿Do we have someone we need to forgive or to ask to be forgiven?