Our slice of Daily Bread today comes from one of our senior class English teachers, Ms. Karen Moynihan, who provides us much food for thought. Thank you, Karen.
The Gospel Reading for March 18 (Matthew 5:20–26) includes this advice:
"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."
While shopping for a greeting card one day, I came across a category called “Apology.” A card with the scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz says, “Sorry I was brainless.” A card with a pretty landscape says, “Sorry we haven’t always gotten along perfectly.” How about an apology card “To Mother from both of us!” Send Hallmark the address, and Hallmark will mail your apology for you. Hallmark even offers” volume discounts” on some of these cards.
Why is it so hard to reconcile that we need help from Hallmark? What is it that we fear—that we will have to acknowledge our wrong-doing, that our apology will be rebuffed, or that we will have to let go of a grudge that is doing more harm to us than to the other person? Forgiving ourselves might be the hardest reconciliation of them all.
In this season of Lent when we sacrifice our favorite things, let us also sacrifice pride, resentment, and anger and offer the gift of forgiveness.
Karen Moynihan
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