ACC ~ Matthew 5 v24

CUTTING OFF THE INTENT TO SIN

ORIGEN: To give assent to sin is already a completed evil, even if someone does not actually commit the deed. And by this saying our Savior, hurling us away from the cause of sins, endeavors to cut sin off completely. For when this intention is not present in our souls, neither shall the action accompany it. FRAGMENT 103. [1]

[1] GCS 41.1:58.

LET BROTHERLY PEACE COME FIRST

JEROME: He did not say, “If you have anything against your brother” but “If your brother has anything against you,” so that a greater need for reconciliation is imposed on you. As long as we are unable to make peace with our brother, I do not know whether we may offer our gifts to God. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 1.5.23. [1]

[1] CCL 77:28.

LEAVE YOUR GIFT BEFORE THE ALTAR

AUGUSTINE: In the spiritual sense therefore we may understand faith as an altar in the inner temple of God, to which the visible altar symbolically points. Whatever gift we offer to God—whether it be prophecy, or doctrine, or prayer, or a hymn, or a psalm, or whatever other spiritual gifts of this kind may come to mind—cannot be acceptable to God unless it is held up by sincere faith and firmly and immovably fixed on it, so that our words may be pure and undefiled. SERMON ON THE MOUNT 1.10.27. [1]

[1] PL 34:42; FC 11:45*. The altar before which we are to leave our gifts and go first to be reconciled to our neighbor is the altar of faith within the inner temple of our own relation to God.

BE FIRST TO ASK PARDON

ANONYMOUS: Do not counter with “He offended me; I didn’t offend him. He ought to square up with me, and not I with him.” If for the sake of your salvation the Lord orders you to make friends, though you are the one who has been more offended, you must apologize, that you may have double credit: first, because you have been offended and, second, because you were the first to apologize. For if you have offended someone and then ask pardon of him, the Lord will forgive you for your offense because you were the first to ask pardon. You will have no reward, however, if you are found to be the guilty person and have asked pardon. But if one has done wrong by you and you are the first to apologize, you will have a great reward. Hurry therefore to be the first one to make friends. Otherwise, if you should delay, he may be the first to apologize and may snatch from your hands the reward of love. If he has offended you and asked your pardon, your friendship is fruitless. For what righteousness do you have before the Lord if you receive an apology and are thereby placated? Certainly the Lord does not want you to grovel for forgiveness, but he orders you to be the first to apologize. INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 11. [1]

[1] PG 56:692.