Word to the Wise
Thursday, September 9, 2021 - Thursday in the 23th Week in Ordinary Time
[Col 3:12-17 and Luke 6:27-38]Put on, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bonds of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one Body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. [Colossians]
SEPTEMBER 9, ST. PETER CLAVER, SJ
If one were looking to write an inspiring prelude to the constitution or charter of a Christian organization, it would be hard to find words better than those from the Letter to the Colossians which provide our first scripture for today. When preaching a parish mission, I have always used this passage as the first scripture for the Reconciliation Service. However, these words are as challenging as they are inspiring!!
Perhaps the biggest challenge is found in the words, "bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do." There is an echo there of the Lord's Prayer: "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us..." Indeed, the second scripture for my Reconciliation Service is taken from Matthew 18:21-31, the parable of the Unforgiving Servant.
The "bond of perfection" is not possible without the action of forgiveness. "Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience..." are wonderful virtues and easier to practice if there is no reason to forgive the one toward whom we show those virtues! It can be equally difficult if we need to ASK for forgiveness from the other person, not being sure of receiving it! I remind the congregation that the Sacrament of Reconciliation is just the beginning of the process of forgiveness, not the end of it.
If we want to do an honest assessment of ourselves as Christians, a good question to ask is, "How forgiving am I?" AMEN