A Letter from Fr. Paul - Sunday, September 17th

Our readings this week double down on the theme of forgiving others and working for good relationships, as we reflected on this past week. 
 
The first reading is very strong, with phrases such as, “the vengeful will suffer the Lord’s vengeance” and “could anyone nourish anger against another and expect healing from the Lord?”
 
It makes no sense to hold on to wrath and anger, because it hurts us, both now and in the future.  Let me explain:
 
NOW: when we “hug” wrath and anger, as Sirach says, we are the ones who are unhappy.  We boil inside, we are not at peace.  The one I am angry at is somewhere else, having a good time, but I am the one who is unhappy.  It makes absolutely no sense.  No one else makes us
unhappy: we do it to ourselves.
 
FUTURE: with the parable of the servant who is forgiven a big debt by the master but is unable to forgive a small debt of a fellow servant, Jesus is underscoring what we say every time we pray the Our Father: “forgive us our trespasses, AS WE FORGIVE those who trespass against us.”  We are asking to be forgiven as we are able to forgive.  If we cannot forgive, can we expect forgiveness for ourselves?
 
I invite us to continue reflecting this week on our ability to forgive.  If there is a relationship that needs to be repaired, let us resolve to do the best we can to repair it, and then move on with peace in our hearts.  God bless.
 
Church sign of the week: You can’t see the haters when you have the love glasses on.