Word to the Wise
Tuesday, March 6, 2018 - 3rd Week of Lent - Tues
[Dan 3:25, 34-43 and Matt 18:21-35]TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 2018 TUESDAY IN THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT [Daniel 3:25, 34-43 and Matthew 18:21-35] "You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you or have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?" [Matthew] Is it easier to forgive, or to receive forgiveness? On the second day of a parish mission, those two aspects of forgiveness are the focus of my preaching. I center my thoughts on the "Our Father" and the lines, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us," and I read the gospel parable that appears in the liturgy today, the "Unforgiving Servant." We Catholics are accustomed to receiving sacramental forgiveness and feeling relieved once that is done. But the task is not ended with that! God has forgiven us but we still must forgive one another. (This may include God and ourselves, as well!). Forgiveness is always in our power to do. Reconciliation requires more than one party and may not always be possible. The other party may be unavailable (deceased?) or unwilling. As long as we carry the burden of unforgiveness, we make our own lives more difficult. One funny statement puts it this way. "Unforgiveness is like taking poison and hoping the other person dies." I will be leading the congregation through an examination of conscience today that focuses on various relationships that are part and parcel of everyday life: God, self, parents, children, siblings, employers, etc.. With each relationship there is a prayer for the grace to forgive or ask for forgiveness. The impact shows in the confessions that follow. It is not an easy task but it could be one of the most productive things a person can do in the season of Lent. AMEN
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