XXIV. Примирение с ближним

“If you bring your gift to the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift,” says Christ (Matthew 5:23–24). God has such concern for our reconciliation that He deigns His sacrifice to be imperfect and the service to be abandoned until hostility and anger cease (Book 1 about contrition, to Demetrius). The more someone turns away from the one seeking reconciliation, the greater the execution he collects (Book 2, conversation 20 about enmity towards the people of Antioch, l. 205). Whoever, for the sake of human glory, is reconciled with his neighbor is deprived of reward (Ibid.). You must be reconciled with everyone, no matter how much harm someone does to you (Ibid.). We must hasten to make peace with those who have offended us, whether they are angry with us righteously or unjustly (Discourse on the words: “if your enemy is hungry,” and so on (Rom. 12:20). Volume 3, l. 170). Reconciliation with a brother is a true sacrifice to God (Conversation 16 on the Evangelist Matthew, chapter 16). Discourse on reconciliation with one's neighbor It is difficult for those living in society not to offend each other in some way; This is why reconciliation is needed. First. The offender must seek forgiveness from the offender. Second. The offended must be forgiven, according to the word of Christ: “If you forgive people their sins, then your Heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14; see this in the discussion about forgiving your neighbor’s sins). Reasons why we should reconcile with our neighbors and ask him for forgiveness First. Christian love requires that we resign ourselves with regret to those whom we have somehow offended, and make amends for this offense by rewarding him in some way. Second. This is required by Christ’s commandment: “Go first and be reconciled to your brother” (Matthew 5:24). Third. This is also required to calm the conscience, for the conscience of the offender will not give him peace, but will torment him until he is reconciled and asks for forgiveness from the offended person. Fourth. This is required by the safety of the life of the offender, for the offended person can become angry with the offender and in some way harm or kill him. Fifth. Non-reconciliation results in mutual enmity, which is hateful to God, to society, and harmful to the warring parties themselves. Sixth. When there is enmity between military leaders, then subordinates also quarrel; when between parents, then their children; when between masters, then their slaves quarrel, and each is jealous of his own side, which results in great troubles and ruin; bosses quarrel, and subordinates suffer misfortune and destruction. Seventh. God does not accept either our gift or our prayer until we are reconciled with our neighbor: “Go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and bring your gift,” says Christ. Don’t think about anything, beloved: go, submit, humble yourself before your neighbor. Do not listen to what the spirit of pride whispers in your ears, but listen to what the meek and humble Jesus, your Savior, says to you: “Go first and be reconciled to your brother.” You might be interested in: