Glory be to Jesus Christ!
Nothing causes more disturbance in a household than when children fight with one another. A silly squabble often spreads ill will and hostility to other members of the family. The blame game begins and quickly spreads to other unrelated areas and the next thing you know you are sleeping on the couch because one of your daughters stole the other’s doll!
In the early Church confessions were done publicly in front of the whole community. Everyone heard the sins, but everyone witnessed the forgiveness as well. Don’t get me wrong, I understand and agree with the choice of the Church to make confession a more private matter, however, it is easy to loose the understanding of the communal consequences of sin and the communal graces of forgiveness.
In our reading today the Lord reminds His disciples of the necessity for forgiveness and links it specifically to prayer. Unforgiveness of our brothers and sisters hinders our communion with our Father. This is such an important principle that when Christ taught His disciples to pray “The Our Father,” He included forgiveness both for asking and for giving.
Are there any grudges that you are holding? Are there people in your life that you have not forgiven? There will not be enough room in the cave for the Christ-child and any bitterness we retain. Let us forgive one another in order to approach Him with our gifts of prayer and worship!
Glory be to Jesus Christ!
