Sunday, September 13, 2020

TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

“Forgiveness is above all a personal choice, a decision of the 
heart to go against the natural instinct to pay back evil with evil.”
- Pope John Paul II

When the world has grown to be indifferent to religion and treat as disdain morality not only has society succeeded to justify evils but also individuals have unashamedly glorified their sinful deeds. In the contemporary advanced society the emphasis is placed on the rights of the individuals without recourse to the morality for the common good. 

As a result of this we hitherto live as enemies to one another because there is more of hatred than love, more of individualism than togetherness, more of personal and private life than family and community life. Due to this, there is unnecessary competitions, seeking to be better than the other, greed, envy, slandering, blackmailing, outwitting, etc amongst us. So the end justifies the means. The product of these includes hurt, disappointments, disparaging, etc Hence, the high rate of vengeance, wrath, anger, hate, unforgiving  in our families, relationships and communities. 

Our readings of today aim at addressing this canker which is progressively but subtly rubbing us of our relationships and joy.
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The author of the first reading encourages us to desist from vengeful attitude and hatred for our neighbor.  He exhorts that remember your last days, death and decay and cease from sin. We should rather obey and practice the commandments of the Lord. We should learn to forgive the injustice of others and offer mercy so that our prayers will be answered.

The second reading reminds us that God is the fountainhead of our lives: the origin and the destination. So we have only one life to live: that is, to live according to the will of God but not our own will. This is where our free-will ought to serve the will and the purpose of God. We must live to satisfy the commandments of God but not our own parochial principles. This must reflect in our choices, decisions, deeds and planning. We do what the Lord wills but not with our wishes.

In the gospel readings Jesus teaches us about the infinitive nature of forgiveness. Meaning we don’t grow tired of forgiving the sins of our neighbor. Forgiveness is not only a responsibility but also indispensable obligation. Forgiveness is an expression of the divine attributes and mission for humanity that serves as a bridge for interpersonal relationships. We must initiates, nourish and use it as many as possible in our families and communities to sustain solidarity and fraternity.

Let FORGIVENESS lead...   See you in Church!

Fr. Emmanuel