Gifts at the Altar

[hawksnest23]

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

Hey, so I have a few questions about this passage. What would be “gifts” at the altar? At mass, would that be the offertory, would that be receiving communion, would that be the whole mass itself? Also, it’s probably impossible to make sure you apologize to every single person you have ever wronged. Would this really only apply to those people that we’ve wronged in a more serious way?

Thanks for all the thoughts!

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

I would say it’s our participation in Mass and reception of Communion (the gifts) and that’s one reason we have a sign of peace before Communion. It’s also one basis for needing to be in a state of grace (confession) before receiving.

 

[hawksnest23]

Ok, so if you go to mass but haven’t apologized to a friend whom you’ve wronged, should you apologize to that friend and then go to another mass?

 

[Kei]

I wouldn’t say it’s an exact thing to the new Mass…Remember this Teaching was prior to the institution of the Eucharist…
But normal Catholics can forgive each others Venial sins.
Do try to make up with those you have wronged, though we technically should be fine with just Confession as the One we truly wrong via sin is God.

 

[1ke]

Hey, so I have a few questions about this passage. What would be “gifts” at the altar? At mass, would that be the offertory, would that be receiving communion, would that be the whole mass itself?

That passage is referring to the sin offerings the Jews made in the temple. The point is, Christ wants mercy over sacrifice. If you are sacrificing for sin, but still harboring sin in your heart-- a grudge or anger against another-- your sacrifice is meaningless.

Also, it’s probably impossible to make sure you apologize to every single person you have ever wronged. Would this really only apply to those people that we’ve wronged in a more serious way?

We are reconciled with God through the sacrament of Confession when we have gravely sinned.

 

[1ke]

Ok, so if you go to mass but haven’t apologized to a friend whom you’ve wronged, should you apologize to that friend and then go to another mass?

You are being scrupulous here. The bible passage isn’t being literal that you have to apologize for every single thing you’ve ever done.

 

[Vico]

Ok, so if you go to mass but haven’t apologized to a friend whom you’ve wronged, should you apologize to that friend and then go to another mass?

We make an offering to God, but should have prepared ourselves first. When we sin mortally we offend God and also our Church.

Catechism

1455 The confession (or disclosure) of sins, even from a simply human point of view, frees us and facilitates our reconciliation with others. Through such an admission man looks squarely at the sins he is guilty of, takes responsibility for them, and thereby opens himself again to God and to the communion of the Church in order to make a new future possible.

1458 Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church.59 …

1459 Many sins wrong our neighbor. One must do what is possible in order to repair the harm (e.g., return stolen goods, restore the reputation of someone slandered, pay compensation for injuries). Simple justice requires as much. But sin also injures and weakens the sinner himself, as well as his relationships with God and neighbor. Absolution takes away sin, but it does not remedy all the disorders sin has caused.62 Raised up from sin, the sinner must still recover his full spiritual health by doing something more to make amends for the sin: he must “make satisfaction for” or “expiate” his sins. This satisfaction is also called “penance.”

2608 From the Sermon on the Mount onwards, Jesus insists on conversion of heart: reconciliation with one’s brother before presenting an offering on the altar, love of enemies, and prayer for persecutors, prayer to the Father in secret, not heaping up empty phrases, prayerful forgiveness from the depths of the heart, purity of heart, and seeking the Kingdom before all else. This filial conversion is entirely directed to the Father.