“If you bring your gift to the altar and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, then come and offer your gift.” Years ago, weekly confession preceded by an examination of conscience,
was mandatory at my Catholic grade school. Fighting with my brothers
and sisters made the list automatically. Happily all five of those
sibling-combatants are now among my dearest friends.
Maybe I’ll drop a conciliatory note or email
just to see what happens. I know that even major breaches can be healed
if we let God’s grace take over. When this happens, it feels
like a miracle but we have to accept the invitation to healing first. May we all take our first steps to such miracles! |