First Friday of Lent

Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Forgiveness is a three-way street between us, our neighbors, and our God. We are not only judged by how we seek forgiveness for our own sins from God, but also on how we forgive others when they seek our forgiveness. It is much easier for many of us to ask for forgiveness than to truly grant our forgiveness to those who have harmed us. However, this act of mercy is exactly what God wants us to do. By petitioning God for forgiveness we show our faith, but by giving it to others we reveal our good works to the Lord.

Do we have anything against someone else? Does anyone have anything against us? What are we going to do about it?

O Lord, grant us the grace to be reconciled with our brothers and sisters.

Amen.