If you are taking your sacrifice to the temple, Jesus says, and you remember that someone is angry at you, go to them and make it right. Then come back and offer your sacrifice, give your gift, fulfill your obligation. We read that and we want to start a conversation with him.

But Jesus, what if they made up the problem?

[silence]

Okay, that doesn’t happen very often. But Jesus, what if they don’t forgive me?

[silence]

But Jesus, what if I’ve tried everything I could think of and they are still angry with me?

[silence]

Okay, I will have tried. And their response isn’t my problem. But Jesus, why should it matter if they are mad at me? You just talked about me being angry and that being like murder. And I’m not angry.

[silence]

But Jesus, are you saying that if I know someone is mad at me and I don’t do anything to stop it, it’s like letting them commit murder and not stepping in?

[silence]

But Jesus, are you saying that my knowing that someone is upset with me might interfere with my ability to bring you my gifts? That I might be worried about avoiding them as I walk around?

[silence]

But Jesus, isn’t there time later? Or are you suggesting that it is more important to have relationship restored with people than it is to bring you a sacrifice?

[silence]

But Jesus, are you suggesting that if a name comes to my mind when I am bringing my gift to worship, that maybe that name is one that you are reminding me of, that maybe you know what is happening?

[silence]

But Jesus, what if I just don’t want to? Can’t it just be me and God in worship without worrying about other people?

[silence]

But Jesus, I can’t. I need help.

“Okay.”

+++

From Learning a new routine. Reading the Sermon on the Mount a little bit at a time