Be radical or perish

(To the Sources)

‘…first go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift?’ (Matthew 5:24)

From Matthew 5:21-37 (Year A: Lent -3)

An Irish politician once declared ‘be radical or perish’ (his party did perish but not for want of trying to be radical).  When Jesus declared – in an extended elaboration of the Sermon the Mount – that:

 ‘..if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.’ (Matthew 5:23-24)

He was throwing down something very, very radical to those listening to him as well as those who still listen to his words – and seek to put them into practice.

Sometimes, folks use scripture ‘literally’ to advance claims or defend some line of understanding or behaviour. Other times, when it suits, folks negotiate, adapt and explain away what is too challenging or puzzling. 

This particular passage from the 5^th chapter of Matthew is, potentially, very troubling. Taken literally, it would disrupt much of the ritual and liturgical life of churches – seriously. If for every time we offer some prayer or act of worship and remember that our ‘brother or sister has something against’ us could we ever function or proceed with ‘normal’ church business. I have no easy answer to this question. Each has to examine his or her conscience before an act of worship, offering or communal prayer. Not without reason is a common act of confession at the beginning of a service or morning prayer, evening prayer or Eucharist. And not without reason is the ‘sign of peace’ – that sometimes perfunctory and cold act with which some cultures are uncomfortable –  inserted before communion.

Is it possible that that some communities, churches, groups and individuals are perishing and failing to grow and flourish because reconciliation has been displaced by ritualism, self-righteousness and smug self-certainty?

If churches and individuals perish it is because they were not radical enough. Lets not live in such a way as to meet our final day regretting that we were not radical enough.