Leave there your gift before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
All Commentaries on Matthew 5:24 Go To Matthew 5
John Chrysostom
AD 407
But if it is he that hath done you the wrong, and yet you be the first to seek reconciliation, you shall have a great reward.
If love alone is not enough to induce us to be reconciled to our neighbour, the desire that our work should not remain imperfect, and especially in the holy place, should induce us.
See the mercy of God, that He thinks rather of man’s benefit than of His own honour; He loves concord in the faithful more than offering at His altar; forso long as there are dissensions among the faithful, their gift is not looked upon, their prayer is not heard. For no one can be a true friend at the sametime to two who are enemies to each other. In like manner, we do not keep our fealty to God, if we do not love His friends and hate His enemies. But such as was the offence, such should also be the reconciliation. If you have offended in thought, be reconciled in thought; if in words, be reconciled in words; if in deeds, in deeds by reconciled. For so it is in every sin, in whatsoever kind it was committed, in that kind is the penance done.
