Go First and Be Reconciled

June 12, 2008
Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
The hand of the LORD was on Elijah. 1 Kings 18:46
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. Matthew 5:23-24

Piety
Father, help us to reject the false promises of the world and maintain a focus on your commandments of love. Jesus, give to us all that is authentic in life. Holy Spirit, deliver to us the wisdom, fortitude, temperance, and justice needed to allow God to dwell in us. Amen.

Study
http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/061208.shtml

The events that unfold on Mount Carmel are the defining moments in the life of Elijah.
The Lord had promised rain to Elijah – rain that would help overcome the drought and famine. The natural disasters were matched by the disaster of the people turning away from the Lord and following false gods.

Elijah had summoned the people and prophets on the mountain to encourage them to return to follow the Lord. He pointed out their choices:

Elijah appealed to all the people and said, "How long will you straddle the issue? If the LORD is God, follow him; if Baal, follow him." The people, however, did not answer him. 1 Kings 18:21

Elijah asks for a sign of the Lord’s power in order to get the people to return to worshipping the Lord. His request is answered. Elijah is trying to get the Israelites to return to worshipping the Lord, rather than Baal – a practice that allowed child sacrifice and prostitution. The natural signs from the Lord – a fire – helped Elijah accomplish his task of appealing to the Jews to return to faith in the Lord.

Answer me, LORD! Answer me, that this people may know that you, LORD, are God and that you have brought them back to their senses." The LORD'S fire came down and consumed the holocaust, wood, stones, and dust, and it lapped up the water in the trench. Seeing this, all the people fell prostrate and said, "The LORD is God! The LORD is God!" 1 Kings 18:37-39 (emphasis added)

Just as Elijah appealed to the people to return to authentic faith (“back to their senses”) in the Lord and to reject false gods, in the Gospel reading from Matthew, Jesus also seeks authentic, truly loving faith from the people. Jesus redefines the laws and tells his followers that they must not even approach the altar if they have a problem with another member of the community. Rather than offer to God a sacrifice yet still have hatred in their heart, Jesus says to purge the hatred first and then turn to God.

Action

What “false gods” are you pursuing? Are you seeking that pay raise or promotion? Are you planning to buy a bigger house now that the prices have dropped? Who are you having to go over or around to get what you want?

What would Elijah have to show you to get you to pursue a life of authentic faith rather than pursuing your selfish or materialistic impulses? What reconciliation would Jesus ask you to seek before turning to his altar of love in action?