Friday of the First Week of Lent
Ezekiel 18:21-28; Psalm 130; Matthew 5:20-26
My dear brothers and sisters, have you ever had an argument with someone and then gone to pray, but deep down, something felt off? You tried to focus on God, but that lingering hurt, that unresolved conflict, kept creeping back into your thoughts. Jesus speaks directly to this today in the Gospel. He tells us, if you are bringing your gift to the altar and remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there. First, go and be reconciled, then come and offer your gift.
This is a radical command. Jesus is saying that before we stand before God in prayer, before we approach Him in worship, we must first make things right with one another. How often do we think about that? We might be faithful in our prayers, we might fast, we might even be generous in our charity—but if our hearts are holding onto resentment, anger, or broken relationships, something is missing.
Lent is a time for deep reflection, a season to let go of whatever weighs us down. And one of the heaviest burdens we can carry is the burden of unforgiveness. Perhaps there is someone in your life you need to forgive. Maybe there is someone who has hurt you, or someone you have wronged, and it feels easier to ignore it rather than face it. But Jesus does not give us the option to ignore. He calls us to act now.
The first reading from Ezekiel reminds us that change is always possible. If the wicked turn away from their sins, they will find life. But if the righteous turn from goodness and do evil, they will be judged. In other words, our past does not define us—our choices today do. God does not hold grudges; He does not keep a record of our wrongs when we truly repent. And if that is how He treats us, then how can we refuse to do the same for others?
Psalm 130 asks, “Lord, if you mark our iniquities, who can stand?” None of us are perfect. We have all failed in different ways. Yet God’s mercy is greater than our sins, and He calls us to show that same mercy to one another.
So today, Jesus is asking us: Who do you need to be reconciled with? Who in your life is waiting for a phone call, a message, or even just a simple word of peace? Perhaps as part of your Lenten sacrifice, you can offer up your fasting for the healing of a broken relationship. Take the first step. It may not be easy, but it is necessary.
God does not want our prayers and sacrifices if our hearts are hardened toward others. This Lent, let us not only turn to God for mercy but also become instruments of mercy ourselves. Let us build bridges where there were once walls, so that when we come before the Lord, we do so with hearts made pure by love and forgiveness.