Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.”
NL Daily Devotion for Tuesday, January 24, 2023
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
This is where the practice of the “greeting of peace” originates. It comes right before the gathering of the offering in most worship services, because it’s supposed to be that moment of being reconciled to one another. I don’t know if many people are really aware of that. I just can’t see people who are involved in some church-politics infighting walking up to each other during this part of worship and actually reconciling. Is it meant to be symbolic? Or was there a time when this practice was taken as just that kind of opportunity to truly get right with others?
I suppose the bottom line is that if we are engaging in resentment and bad behavior toward our fellow human beings, it’s hardly appropriate to offer a gift to God as if somehow that will make up for it. We can’t buy forgiveness or right relationships. Forgiveness is freely given by God in spite of us. Right relationships take work and that work begins with humility. It’s not something that can be accomplished with a simple handshake in the middle of a worship service. But maybe next time you participate in the greeting of peace you might bring your awareness to anyone you might be harboring a resentment against, and ask God to help you take steps to resolve it.
How does holding onto resentment towards other diminish my relationship with God?
