Today's first reading from 1 Kings 18 is recounted by St. James in James 5:17-18. Elijah prayed that it would not rain, and he prayed again, "and the sky gave rain and the earth produced its fruit."
In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 5, Jesus talks about how important it is that we "be reconciled with your brother." We must be about the business of mending fences. Otherwise, there will be a price to pay. Jesus says, "Otherwise your opponent will had you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny."
Could this be a reference to Purgatory? It could. So does that mean that withholding forgiveness, bearing grudges, could be an impediment to heaven, even if temporarily? It certainly seems that way. Let's get to work on mending those fences, repairing those broken relationships - before it's too late.
Father, give us the grace of forgiveness, and courage to mend those fences in our lives that are damaged. Amen.
0 comments