Reconciliation Before the Altar
Reflection on Matthew 5:20-26
In the Gospel of Matthew 5:20–26, Jesus speaks words that penetrate deeply into the heart of moral life: “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” For His listeners, this must have sounded shocking. The scribes and Pharisees were known for their strict observance of the Law. If their righteousness was not enough, what hope was there?
Jesus immediately clarifies. He moves beyond external behavior into the interior life. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not kill.’” That commandment seems clear and straightforward. Yet Christ goes further: “Everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.”
Here, Jesus reveals the depth of true righteousness. It is not limited to avoiding physical violence. It addresses the roots of violence—anger, contempt, and resentment. Harsh words, insults, silent bitterness—these may not leave visible scars, but they wound relationships and distort the heart.
The Lord is teaching that sin begins long before action. It takes shape in thought and intention. The kingdom of God demands a transformation from within.
In Catholic tradition, this passage reminds us that holiness is not merely compliance with rules. It is conversion of heart. One may outwardly fulfill commandments yet carry grudges, jealousy, or hostility inside. Jesus calls His disciples to something deeper: purity of intention and reconciliation.
The most striking image in this Gospel comes next. “If you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there… first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”
This is extraordinary. Worship is sacred. The altar is holy. Yet Jesus teaches that reconciliation with others is so essential that it takes precedence over presenting an offering to God.
This does not diminish the importance of worship. Rather, it reveals its true meaning. The Eucharist is the sacrament of unity and love. Approaching the altar while clinging to hatred contradicts the very mystery we celebrate.
Reconciliation is not always easy. Pride resists it. Fear complicates it. Sometimes wounds run deep. Yet Christ calls us to take initiative. Notice that He does not say, “Wait until your brother comes to you.” He urges us to move toward peace.
This Gospel also echoes in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Before receiving Holy Communion, the Church invites us to examine our conscience. Serious sin must be confessed and forgiven. Even lesser faults call for repentance. The peace we seek with God must extend to our relationships.
Anger itself is not always sinful; it can arise from injustice or pain. But anger that festers becomes destructive. It can turn into contempt—the belief that another person is worthless. Jesus uses strong language because He knows how quickly resentment poisons the soul.
The final verses speak of settling with an opponent quickly, before matters escalate. There is wisdom here. Delayed reconciliation often leads to deeper division. Small conflicts, left unattended, grow into hardened walls.
The Lord invites us into a spirituality of immediacy—address wounds early, speak truth with charity, forgive promptly.
Surpassing the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees does not mean performing more rituals. It means loving more authentically. It means allowing grace to penetrate our attitudes and reactions.
Every time we pray the Our Father, we say, “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” That line binds our relationship with God to our relationship with others.
True righteousness is relational. It heals. It restores. It builds communion.
Standing before the altar, we are reminded that Christ reconciled us to the Father through His sacrifice. The Cross is the ultimate act of reconciliation. If He could forgive from the Cross, then we are invited to forgive in our daily lives.
Holiness is not measured only by prayer time or religious knowledge. It is measured by the willingness to repair broken relationships and to guard the heart from contempt.
The kingdom of heaven belongs to those whose worship flows from a reconciled heart.
Key Takeaway:
Authentic righteousness requires interior conversion and active reconciliation; our worship of God must be matched by peace and forgiveness toward others.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You call us to a righteousness that begins in the heart.
Search our thoughts and intentions.
Reveal any anger, resentment, or pride
that separates us from others.
Give us courage to seek reconciliation.
Teach us to forgive as You have forgiven us.
Purify our worship
so that we may approach Your altar
with sincere and peaceful hearts.
May our lives reflect the mercy
You poured out on the Cross,
and may we walk in unity and love
as members of Your Kingdom.
Amen.
