24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Trusting in Divine Providence, Holy Mother Church curated the readings we hear this weekend, and these readings couldn’t come at a better time. I realize the elections are far from over, but it isn’t too early to start talking about peace and reconciliation. It’s not healthy to hold on to grudges – not for ourselves as individuals and not for our democracy. Writing two thousand years ago, Sirach tries to tell us about the healing power of forgiveness. Why indeed would we hold on to those things that harm us? (Sirach, 27:30).

Well, that’s not how we want to be treated, is it? No, of course not! Look at the story Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel about the servant who begged for mercy. He was in over his head and there was no way out of his debts. All he could do was beg for mercy, and his master, who was moved with compassion, granted him mercy (Matthew 18:27). But when it comes to other people – watch out!

That’s the next part of the Gospel story. The same servant who was shown mercy demanded repayment of a much smaller debt. What happened next? “Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “Wicked servant: I let you off all that debt, since you begged me. Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?” (Matthew 18:32-33).

And then what happened? The servant who would not forgive – now called wicked – was handed over to be tortured, and Jesus warned the same would be true with his Father (Matthew 18:34-35).

In Matthew 7:12, Jesus tells us to do unto others. What if the torture the Father intends for us is that we are treated the way we have treated other people – including the way we have held grudges or gossiped or spread rumors? Whatever the punishment, clearly the point from the Scriptures is that holding on to anger, the pain, the hurt will harm us. Even modern science and psychology warn us that our physical and mental health can be negatively affected if we hold on instead of forgiving.

Why do we want to hold on to the things that harm us?

Perhaps it’s because our pride takes over? We’re right. We know we’re right. We can prove we’re right. It’s irrational that the other person won’t admit it, but we sure aren’t going to give in because we are right. As the authors of Facing Forgiveness suggest, “Perhaps the lack of self-forgiveness is a repetition of the original sin of pride in the Garde of Eden” (44).
“But, Deacon, I’m right!”

Did you know that J.R.R. Tolkien’s family was torn apart by the decision to make The Lord of the Rings into a movie? Christopher Tolkien, the son of J.R.R. Tolkien, was thoroughly against the Peter Jackson’s production. His son, Simon, supported the production. The rift between them was so great that Christopher disowned his son Simon and his family, turning his back on his grandson! (Facing Forgiveness, 65). Can you imagine sticking to your point of view so vehemently that you lose time with your own family? Thankfully before Christopher’s death this past January, he and Simon were reconciled, but at what cost? Time that they’ll never get back.

Even if we’re right and the other person is unreasonable, is it worth damaging our relationships with our family and friends or adding to our stress level just to prove a point?

Is it pride that makes us stubbornly hold on? Perhaps that’s what St. Paul means when he says that we need to die to ourselves? (Romans 14:7). At some point, whether we’re right or wrong, we need to let go – forgive and move on. After the elections are over, may we all remember that Jesus calls us to forgive and be reconciled.

Homework! Strengthened by the Word of God and the Eucharist to overcome our past hurts, I encourage you to reflect on the following three questions this week:

Have I forgiven my self for anything I’ve done contrary to my values?
Are there members of my own family from whom I am alienated? Am I willing to take the first step toward forgiveness?
Who are my models of forgiveness?

I think doing our homework will help us become healed so that we can go out into the world as disciples of Christ Jesus. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Image Credit: Artist unknown. PNG file.

References:
1. Hahn, Scott W. and Curtis Mitch. Romans. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academics, 2017. Kindle.
2. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010. Kindle.
3. Sofield, S.T., Loughlan, Carroll Juliano, S.H.C.J., and Bishop Gregory m. Aymond. Facing Forgiveness. Notre Dame, Indiana: Ave Maria Press, 2007.
4. The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. God of mercy and piety, 210-11
2. Jesus identifies his compassion to sinners with God’s, 588-589
3. Christ our judge, 678-79
4. Las judgment, 1038-41
5. Forgiveness, 2843, 2845

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091320.cfm
Lectionary: 130

Reading 1
Sirach 27:30—28:7
Wrath and anger are hateful things,
yet the sinner hugs them tight.
The vengeful will suffer the LORD’s vengeance,
for he remembers their sins in detail.
Forgive your neighbor’s injustice;
then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.
Could anyone nourish anger against another
and expect healing from the LORD?
Could anyone refuse mercy to another like himself,
can he seek pardon for his own sins?
If one who is but flesh cherishes wrath,
who will forgive his sins?
Remember your last days, set enmity aside;
remember death and decay, and cease from sin!
Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor;
remember the Most High’s covenant, and overlook faults.

Responsorial
Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12
R. (8) The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.
He pardons all your iniquities,
heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
crowns you with kindness and compassion.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.
He will not always chide,
nor does he keep his wrath forever.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.

Reading 2
Romans 14:7-9
Brothers and sisters:
None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself.
For if we live, we live for the Lord,
and if we die, we die for the Lord;
so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.
For this is why Christ died and came to life,
that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

Alleluia
John 13:34
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I give you a new commandment, says the Lord:
love one another as I have loved you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 18:21-35
Peter approached Jesus and asked him,
“Lord, if my brother sins against me,
how often must I forgive?
As many as seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.
That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king
who decided to settle accounts with his servants.
When he began the accounting,
a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount.
Since he had no way of paying it back,
his master ordered him to be sold,
along with his wife, his children, and all his property,
in payment of the debt.
At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said,
‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’
Moved with compassion the master of that servant
let him go and forgave him the loan.
When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants
who owed him a much smaller amount.
He seized him and started to choke him, demanding,
‘Pay back what you owe.’
Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him,
‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’
But he refused.
Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison
until he paid back the debt.
Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened,
they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master
and reported the whole affair.
His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant!
I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.
Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant,
as I had pity on you?’
Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers
until he should pay back the whole debt.
So will my heavenly Father do to you,
unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”

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