Quiet Table Guide: June 15-21

Scripture for the week: Matthew 5:23-24

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”

1. Ready Your Heart

Begin with a moment of silence or a short prayer:

Holy Spirit, give me courage to see where I need to make things right. Help me walk in your light and love.

2. Read

Read Matthew 5:23-24, slowly and prayerfully.

You might try reading it aloud, or in different translations throughout the week.

Let the Spirit highlight the word or phrase you most need to hear today.

3. Reflect

What word or phrase stands out to you?

Is there someone you’ve hurt—recently or long ago?

Where have you been avoiding repair or reconciliation?

What keeps you from moving toward it?

4. Respond

Ask: What would it look like to take the first step toward cleaning up this mess?

Where do you need God’s help to act?

Pray for the grace to seek peace, even if it feels risky or hard.

5. Receive

Be still.

Let go of the need to control how the other person responds.

Rest in God’s love—the kind of love that frees you to walk in humility, honesty, and grace.

Let him form you into someone who brings healing to broken places.

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE FOR THE WEEK: Cleaning Up Your Mess

This week’s practice invites you to take a courageous step toward reconciliation wherever it’s needed.

Start by asking God to show you where there’s a mess to clean up.

When you’re ready, try walking through these steps:

1. Acknowledge the harm.

Own your part clearly and specifically, without minimizing or justifying.

2. Get present to the impact.

Ask the person how it affected them. Listen without interrupting, defending, or correcting.

3. Say, I’m sorry.

Offer a sincere apology, only after you’ve truly listened and understood.

4. Commit to change.

Ask what you can do to make things right. Share what you’ll do differently going forward.

Throughout the week, jot down what you’re sensing from God:

• Where do you need to seek forgiveness?

• Where do you need to offer forgiveness?

• What is God saying to you through this process?

When you meet with others, share two things:

• What is God saying to you?

• What are you doing about it?