Let Go and Let God.

Homily for Friday 15^th March 2019

_“So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” *(Matthew 5:23-24)*_

Forgiveness is never an easy topic. Even though we pray the Lord’s Prayer every day, we never really pause to meditate on the line that says: “as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

Today, Jesus drums into us the importance of forgiving others who offend us. He says we should not even come to God to offer our gifts if our hearts are not completely reconciled with those who hurt us. Reconciliation is more important than offertory.

Now comes the big question: “How do I forgive?” The book of Ezekiel 18:21-25 contains a clue. The prophet tells us how God behaves. God does not relate with us according to our past! God does not keep records of our past, God is able to forgive us because He constantly dies to the past.

In other words, if we are to forgive, we must develop the habit of dying every moment to our past. Too often, the past looks more real than the present, but it remains past. if we don’t allow it to pass, it continues to hunt our present.

Has the past been painful? Then why are you still holding on to it? This is the insanity of humankind. We easily forget the good people do to us and even take it for granted feeling we deserved even better but we never forget the hurts people inflict on us. We hold on to these pains like children refusing to let go of some debris they picked up from the dustbin.

By not letting go of the past, we make the mistake of allowing the past steal from both our present. Die to the Past every minute, forgive. Just let go and Let God. Submit all your cares to God and allow Him handle your pains.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, teach me to forgive. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of the 1^st Week of Lent. Bible Study: Ezekiel 18:21-28, Psalm 130 and Matthew 5:20-26).