A couple who had lived together for 50 years were once interviewed. They were asked whether they had ever thought about divorcing one another. “Every day,” they replied. “Then what has kept you together?” The interviewer asked. With a smile, they answered, “We have learned to forgive one another.”
Reconciliation Before Anything
I am sure that if we ask each other what makes a home, we shall say it is not a building but the people who live in them. It is the joy that we cherish with one another that keeps us. Not because we are perfect but because we have learned to reconcile with one another. In our today’s readings and as we celebrate the feast of St. Barnabas the Apostle, we realize few elements that are distinct to our Christian family life. And indeed, the Gospel underlines the importance of reconciliation before anything.
Jesus continues his teaching to the disciples and at this point he hints on purpose of true Christian witness that surpasses mere practices and physical rituals but that which connects individual with one another and in such to God. Jesus is reminding us that is not about memorizing the laws or just mere practice in shallow way, but grace lies in deeper charity of love, forgiveness, reconciliation and compassionate tolerance of each other.
The Danger of Grudges
Jesus warns us the harm of offering sacrifices while bound with unforgiveness. He warns us of the harm of praying while fixed in hatred. He tells us this cannot give us any grace. In fact, he says extreme rely on such hatred that leads to rebuking one another without charitable words of correction or without seeking reconciliation will make our offering and sacrifices meaningless. Jesus needs more of internal conversion of heart. Becoming humble enough to realize that we too have failed and so we need to forgive others.
Whenever we step before God, we seek reconciliation with him and many of our sacrifices are for seeking spiritual, material, mental, physical, and even economic wellbeing. We seek good things from God; however, Jesus reminds us, do not hold your brother or your sister then in hatred or unforgiveness. Unforgiveness ties our prayers, unforgiveness stops God’s blessing from reaching us. Lack of reconciliation breaks relationships, families, and partnerships.
Son of Encouragement
St Barnabas whose name means “Son of encouragement,” is good example of why reconciliation is important. He himself brought Paul to the disciples and actually defended him among the disciples. He reconciled Paul to the Apostles. When we reconcile with one another, we encourage them to realize they are lovable. When we forgive one another, we let God share in our lives.
We pray for grace through the intercession of St. Barnabas that we can be reconcilers, with each other especially in our families. We pray for encouragement we need too that we may not falter on path of following Jesus. We pray for our homes to become places of joy, love, forgiveness, and kindness.
- Today’s Readings
- Father Joachim’s inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center today. You can watch the entire Mass on the Family Rosary Video streams channel on YouTube.
- Join the Rosary (11:30 am ET) and Mass (Noon ET) livestreams on the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page, Monday – Friday. Invite your friends and family to pray with you as well.
