MIDWEEK MESSAGE – July 20, 2022

Forgiving others is a great spiritual tool necessary if we are to move toward closer relationships with God and others. But what about something we may have done that we need forgiveness for? How do we go about that?

Making amends is not just asking for forgiveness or saying I am sorry. It is correcting an error we have made. Some amends are easy – if we owe money to a person, we just need to pay them back – all at once or over time.

But what about amends for gossiping, lying, hurting someone’s feelings, or being just rude or unkind to them? Those amends need prayer and the counsel of a spiritual guide. They are more challenging, but the rewards can be life-changing.

As is often the case, we may also need to make amends to ourselves for either an act of commission or omission. Anger against ourselves is a sure way to shut us off from the sunlight of the spirit.

This act of rectifying any hurts we may have caused is a prerequisite for good relationships not just with others but with ourselves and God. Jesus said that before going to the altar (entering into prayer), first reconcile with anyone that has something against you. He tells us we must clear up our human relationships before seeking a closer relationship with God.

Quote of the Week

“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. First, go and be reconciled to your brother, then come and offer your gift.”
Matthew 5:23-24