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

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