Am I forgetting anybody?

At awards shows like last Sunday’s Oscars, the winners often launch into a litany of people they wish to thank. Invariably one or two will come to the end of their mental list of indispensable people and say sotto voce “Am I forgetting anybody?”

It is a question that is very applicable to today’s Gospel (Matthew 5:20-26):

Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.

It is a question that we would do well to ask ourselves when we examine our consciences and when we ask God for his mercy.

"Am I forgetting anybody?"