Matthew 5:23-24 scrupulosity

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Irregularbutvalid

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Recently I’ve been worried about the commands in Matthew 5:23-24. It says that if you remember that your brother has something against you, you must go and be reconciled before offering your gifts at the altar.
What does it mean for your brother to have “something against you”? For instance, there were times when I acted inappropriately or offensively in middle school (over a decade ago) towards some of my friends. We’ve since moved on and have very strong and healthy friendships, but I never explicitly apologized for EACH offense. Do I need to do so in order to be truly reconciled? Or is the strength of our current relationships evidence that those events are already forgiven?
 
“Sorry for all that stupid stuff I did back in middle school, bud!”

But it sounds like you’re over it and you don’t have anything against each other.
 
Ver. 23. He commands us to leave unfinished any work we may have begun, though in its own nature most acceptable to God, in order to go and be reconciled to our brother; because God will have mercy and not sacrifice. Thus he in a manner seems to prefer the love of our neighbour to the love of himself. (Menochius)

Ver. 24. Leave thy offering. This is not to be understood, as if a man were always bound to go to the person offended; but it is to signify, that a man is bound in his heart and mind to be reconciled, to forgive every one, and seek peace with all men. (Witham) — Beware of coming to the holy table, or to any sacrament, without charity. Be first reconciled to your brother, and much more to the Catholic Church, which is the whole brotherhood of Christian men. (Hebrews xiii. 1.) (Bristow)
 
Scrupulosity is a form of OCD, psychological disorder which can be treated. Talk to a professional who practices evidence-based medicine like a clinical psychologist and put aside all thought (if you can) of these things until you have recovered. Incidentally, combing the Bible for guidance on this sort of thing won’t help you much. Jesus said we should all be perfect, like God the Father.
 
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