February 26, 2021: Friday of the 1st Week of Lent

 Today's Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022621.cfm

“Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

What is it that Jesus is saying to us in this Gospel passage from Matthew?  It appears clear He is calling each of us to reconcile with our brother/sister – to make right the wrong that has been done or perceived to have occurred.  We find Him encouraging us to show mercy to all – not just those who are close to us, viz., our family or friends, but beyond to those with whom we interact at work and/or socially.

He calls us to forgive – not always easy to do; but is extremely essential.  If we are to truly be followers of Jesus, we, too, must live out the gospel message.   

But, beyond this Jesus speaks of the Judge and the justice to be carried out for wrongs that have not been righted.  Can we understand his meaning that to balance the righteousness in your human relationships we must show mercy with justice?  

In this passage Jesus also chides us that non-reconciliation with a brother/sister if carried beyond that limit of time within which the quarrel can be made up, involves consequences in which the element of mercy will be entirely absent.  

Will you think today of anyone with whom you need to reconcile and forgive for something that still has not been resolved?  Bring this to prayer and ask the Lord to help you reach out to repair the friendship that may have been damaged.  

“We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive.  He/She who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love.”  Martin Luther King, Jr.

“If we really want to love we must learn how to forgive.”  St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta

- Sister Lena Picillo, OP

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

February 18, 2021: Thursday After Ash Wednesday

Today's Readings:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021821.cfm Looking back...  Did we pray only when we needed to?  Did we pray only when we were lost?  Did we pray at all when we found ourselves? Or did we forget God?  Did we get angry at God when we disobeyed and had to face the consequences? Did we take the time to thank God today and every day?  Did we take the time aside from our schedules to talk to God?  Dear God,  Help me to find You even during times of hope and prosperity. During times when things seem to go my way, let me remember that I have commandments to follow in order to lead a prosperous life. No money or fame will take away from the necessities of faith. If I disobey, help me to find my way back. I affirm that a life with you is a life that's safe and fulfilled. Instill in me an abundance of hope that I may continue in your path and not try to be my own god. That I may hope for brighter days, and a more optimistic outlook, even when all else around me
Read more

March 16, 2021: Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Today’s readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031621.cfm Imagine you are the man at the pool of Bethesda in today’s Gospel. You’ve been ill for 38 years, hoping for a cure, and suddenly you’ve got it! When Jesus says, “Get up, pick up your mat, and walk,” he changes your whole life! He saw you, he knew your suffering, and now he’s healed you. But that’s not enough for Jesus! Even after giving you physical healing, he comes to find you in the Temple area. He isn’t congratulating himself, saying, “I’ve done well! I’ve helped this man. My work here is finished!” No, that one encounter was not enough for Jesus. Even though he’s done so much for you, he wants to find you again.  Now, step out of the story. Think about your own life. When was the last time Jesus found you? Maybe it was in the help of an essential worker who cared about you, even though it meant risk for them. Maybe it was in the colors of a sunset or the giggles of a child. Maybe it was in a text that came at just
Read more

February 17, 2021: Ash Wednesday

Today's Readings:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021721.cfm In the first reading, we see in God a willingness to accept and embrace us, regardless of our failings. How wonderful it would be if we could see in each other this same Mercy and Justice? Especially in today’s world, overflowing with rancor as it is, we are called to return to God’s loving embrace, as individuals and as a community, so that we might embrace His Guidance and Wisdom and Mercy and begin to live our lives as He desires. This reading speaks directly to our Core Values - Respect, Integrity. Community, and Justice - and how we might use these as building blocks for all of us to construct better lives. The responsorial psalm, “Be Merciful O Lord, for we have Sinned" calls out to us, recognizing our human frailty, to return to God’s call and once again feel the embrace of His loving warmth. Every minute of every day we have the opportunity to stop and say, “Thank you, Lord, for your warmth and loving
Read more