Often, the ties that bind us together get loose. We don’t see eye to eye, we loose the empathy to understand each other. When these things happen in any of our relationships, our natural tendency is just to ignore the problem and assume the other person will work to fix it. That’s really hard because in the memory verses for today, Jesus is telling us to take the lead on providing and getting reconciliation on our relationships.

²³ Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath augh against thee;
²⁴ Leave there thy gift before the altar and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come offer thy gift.

Matthew 5:23-24

Jesus is telling us here that any gift we can give Him is of less value than the relationships we have here on earth. That really puts everything into perspective. Each and every day I work for stuff, so I can give stuff back to God, but God doesn’t need or want my stuff if my relationships are broken.

I must do everything in my power, to re-build the bridges of those broken relationships. I must reconcile my wrongs with the other person, and not ignore what i’ve done wrong, but admit my wrongs, and ask for forgiveness.

I must petition the author and knower of all things to open my heart to my wrongs, to convict me of the things I’ve done, the words I’ve said, and the sins of omission I’ve committed against my brother or sister.

Lord, I come before you, a broken vessel, a broken man, who has done so many wrongs. I’ve hurt people by the words I use, the tone I take, the attitude I express, and I realize that I’ve broken bridges. Help me Lord, humble me, help me mend those bridges. Help me renew my relationships with my brothers and sisters, with my love ones, with my friends. Help me to forgive, and Help me seek forgiveness. Give me the wisdom to reconcile my wrongs, and confess them.