"Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice!" Let us echo this prayer during the season of Lent, asking for pardon for our sins. Jesus did not say "if you have something against your brother or sister". Rather he makes it clear that, even "if your brother or sister has something against you", you cannot proceed with your offering. In both these instances, we presume Jesus was more keen on getting the problem resolved rather than spending time on investigations into who caused the problem or waiting for the "culprit" to take the initiative.

Hence, Jesus proposes that we take the initiative and he says this simply as a matter of fact, as a matter of a normal course of action. If only in every family someone would take the initiative to resolve conflict as soon as it arises, instead of allowing it to fester, so many hurt feelings could be healed. Jesus' words are a call for turning back and being reconciled with our brothers and sisters and with ourselves.