"From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia and as far as the recesses of the North, they shall bring me offerings."

Zephaniah 3:10

Recall the scripture that goes, "If anyone of you brings your gift to the altar and remembers that someone has something against you, leave your gift at the altar and first go and be reconciled with that person."

There is the true story of a wealthy businessman who was intrigued by Mother Theresa and her work. He flew down to Calcutta to meet her. She invited him to go along with her as she and her sisters cared for the dying. We know how radically poor and sick these dying brothers and sisters are. At the end of spending time with mother, this businessman was so inspired that he got out his checkbook and wrote her a million dollar check. Mother Theresa took the check, tore it up and said, "I do not want your money. What I want you to do is go home and get right with your wife." (I do not know this man's marital situation or how Mother knew about it).

How badly do we want to "get it right" with God and our families, friends and all people? Recently, and very sadly, a tragic event happened at Wal-Mart. Throngs of people who had waited hours and hours in line to shop rushed in to the store. A person fell among the hysteria and, in their craze to worship their false God of materialism; they trampled over him and crushed him to death. To death!

The altar of God calls us back to a loving and forgiving and growing relationship with God and others. Each time we approach the altar we should carefully consider any ways we might have trampled out God, family and others in our lives. The altar of God asks the question, "Are you getting it right?" The scriptures call us to get it right first and then come to the altar. Maybe we think we are pretty much getting it right because we haven’t done anything big like murder or infidelity. That mind frame, however, is a rather shallow look at it all. What about the first commandment and having no false Gods before you? Trampling someone to death to worship an inanimate object in Wal-mart? If we eat each day and watch TV each day but do not pray isn’t that worshipping TV and food more than Jesus?

The unhappiness I hear in the confessional and ministry all has to do with not getting it right with God and others. So many relationships are unloving, unconnected and unforgiving. We trample over each other.

How badly do we want to get it right? Mother Theresa taught us that it not worth a million or billion dollars to forsake being right with God and others.

Let us start at home. Gather together every two weeks as a family and make sure you are united in forgiveness and love. Ask and offer forgiveness and grow from your relational mistakes. Isn't this God's plan for us in Jesus Christ?

+Fr. John

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