Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24 NIV)
You had the argument of a lifetime and you are mad. Maybe it was with your wife, maybe your neighbor, maybe someone else. Now it is Sunday and time for church. Not only that, but it is communion Sunday.
You are going to go to church and try your best to pretend that you are the little lamb of God full of love and brotherhood.
But you are not. You are full of rage and anger and resentment and you are mad at your brother, or your sister, or your wife, or that stupid idiot who lets his stupid dog poop on your lawn every stupid day. And you told him just last Friday just what you thought.
Now you are facing public affirmation of your faith in God and your love for others.
And if they give a medal for hypocrisy, you would get a big fat gold one, with ribbons. And a dinner. With dessert.
Would Jesus have done that? On the cross he said, “Father forgive them, for they do not understand what they are doing.” Now there was a real attitude of forgiveness. When he comes to take communion in the new kingdom, he can do it fine.
You, on the other hand, need to forgive. Your brother, your sister, that stupid idiot. Forgive them. Even if they don’t ask. Jesus told you to do it, he didn’t tell them to ask.
Wait for communion. It will be there until Jesus comes again. And make peace with those you are angry with.
Then and only then will you be able to truly commune with God and with others.
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