Be reconciled before you pray, Church Fathers: Day 046

Be reconciled before you pray, Church Fathers: Day 046 September 8, 2017

st_john_cassian_spotlightWriting an instruction book for monks, St. John Cassian amplifies the Gospel’s advice; if you go to pray and remember that anyone has anything against you, even unjustly, drop your prayer and run to be reconciled with your brother.

We often spurn the brethren who are injured and saddened, and despise them, and say that they were not hurt by any fault of ours.

Because of that, the Healer of souls, who knows all secrets, wishing to root out completely all opportunities of anger from our hearts, not only commands us to forgive if we have been wronged, and to be reconciled with our brothers, and keep no recollection of wrong or injuries against them, but he also gives a similar commandment, that if we are aware that they have anything against us, whether justly or unjustly, we should leave our gift—that is, postpone our prayers—and hasten first to offer satisfaction to them. Then, when our brother has been cured, we may bring the offering of our prayers without blemish.

For the common Lord of all does not care so much for our homage that he would want to lose in one what he gains in another, through displeasure being allowed to reign in us. He suffers some loss for anyone’s loss, because he desires and looks for the salvation of all his servants in one and the same way. And there­fore our prayer will lose its effect, if our brother has anything against us, just as much as if we were cherishing feelings of bitterness against him in a swelling and wrathful spirit. St. John Cassian, Institutes, 8.14

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

Does anyone I know have a grudge or complaint against me?

What can I do to be reconciled with that person—even if it takes some effort?

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord, while I try to pursue what is good, shield me with your strong hand, and keep me from sin with your mighty arm.


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