"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)
I've never understood grudges. Yes, people wrong us and do us harm. They may betray us and do horrible things to us, but what is the point of holding a grudge against someone? Does it do us any good? Does it enrich our lives any? Does it allow us to move on from the hurt that person caused? Hardly. All grudges do is foster hatred and darken our hearts. When we forgive and forget, we are liberated from past hurts and old wounds are healed. Jesus understood this when he says in today's gospel that before we approach the altar we must be reconciled with our brother or sister. If you are holding on to a past hurt, let it go. Place it in the hands of our Lord. Feel the liberating power of forgiveness and free yourself of anything that may darken your heart. If it is too hard for you, just think of that person and repeat the words that Jesus said on the cross over and over again: "Father, forgive them...Father, forgive them...Father, forgive them."
