First be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.
Matthew 5:21-37 is the Sermon on the Mount in which Jesus exhorts his followers to embrace standards of righteousness that exceed legal requirements and traditional expectations. Much of today’s gospel reading echoes portions of the Ten commandments. Jesus’ instructions to the crowd reveal a pattern of behavior that honors both God and thy neighbor, resulting in life and health for the whole community.
Pastor Eric reminded us that we must work at reconciliation with everyone we have felt angry towards because Jesus preached that we must love our neighbor and take care of the poor. Jesus insisted on this.
Loving means offering forgiveness.