June 14, 2018 Thursday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time—B
1 Kings 18:41-46
Psalm 65
Matthew 5:20-26
“…go first and be reconciled with your brother and then come and offer your gift.” Mt. 5:24
Lord, what was missing in the righteousness of the holy scribes and Pharisees? Their entire day was spent in obedience to your law and devotion to sacrifice to you. What about their sacrifice made it unworthy in your eyes? You saw into the heart of the Pharisees as you see into mine. Do your find a heart within me that is angry or hardened? Am I caught up in a bitterness or conflict with family or someone in my workplace or neighborhood? God forbid, do I wish evil upon someone who has hurt me? That’s not the kind of heart you want offered to you. Lord, you know how difficult it can be for me to let go of resentment no matter how justified it is in my eyes. It’s clear you do not want a heart that is not open to your forgiving grace. Lord, unload my baggage of anger and replace it with mercy and understanding. I begin by lifting up a prayer of reconciliation for one person today with whom I am angry. Please make my offering pleasing to you and heal my broken heart. Amen.