The Twenty-Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time

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September 17, 2017

Sirach 27:30-28:7; Psalm 103; Romans 14:7-9; Matthew 18:21-35

The need for total and complete forgiveness is the theme of today’s readings. We can make forgiveness an easy process by quickly and discreetly brushing off small, casual grievances. We do that well. It is the repeated offenses by those who are closest to us that we have trouble moving forward because we want aspects of their behavior to be improved. Notice in the Gospel that Jesus does not say “neighbor” but “brother.” Those who were once closest to us become estranged because forgiveness is very difficult. Relationships are complex and are filled with power imbalances.

Even though we may tell people that we forgive them, we may still hold onto anger that keeps us unsettled. If this is the case, forgiveness has not happened because forgiveness leads to reconciliation. We wait for a wrong to be corrected or we are a victim of repeated unjust actions. We silently hold the frustration deeply within us as we do our best to carry on happily with our daily life. Our anger is not appropriately addressed and we let those frustrations stew.

            Sirach reminds us of the damaging effects our wrath and anger. He calls them hateful things that the sinners hold onto tightly. The idea is: we are sinners if we do not take steps to deal with our anger, and we violate the covenant with God who overlooks our faults. Our task is daily and constant. We have to strengthen each of our relationships so we keep them healthy with the proper boundaries.

            Let’s look at the other sayings of Sirach, and let me update some of the language. If you are finding yourself vengeful, immediately talk to someone who will listen to you. You need a listening ear and you might need help as a victim. Others are around to assist you. Just don’t take matters into your own hands. Work out a solution with your neighbor when she is unjust to you. Acquire skills to solve crises before they become larger. As you work towards resolution, you will find your bond strengthened and you will achieve greater respect for one another.

            Each of us needs healing from the Lord. We cannot expect to be fully healed if we are still holding a grudge against someone else. It just is not fair. The other person needs to be healed as well, and we have to help that person get the healing he needs. Then our healing can be complete.

            Just like the servant in the Gospel, we cannot be pardoned and then demand justice from someone who owes us something. Sirach tells us that the mercy we receive becomes the standard for our manner of living. We cannot expect our debt to be forgiven and then turn to another and say, “This is the law.” No. Once we receive mercy, we have to act out of mercy or the graciousness we received means nothing.

            Finally, Sirach tells us to think about the measure of our lives. How do we want to be remembered in death? Do we want someone to think of us as cheap, miserable, angry people? If not, change around your attitudes today. The decisions we make each day will dictate how others know us. No incident stands alone but is connected to a larger reality.

            Forgiveness is not easy, but your impulse to forgive is a blessing from God. If you hold anger inside, then get some help from the outside because your way is not working. We have new skills to learn as we form complex relationships. Do not navigate your anger alone, but seek the wisdom of others who you know have reconciled and strong relationships. Seek help from your church or from those who are impartial and filled with goodwill. We want you to have inner peace and freedom. We want your happiness and good boundaries. We want you to give to others the mercy and forgiveness you have received because it is the path to wholeness in Jesus Christ.

Scripture for Daily Mass

First Reading: 

Monday: (1 Timothy 2) I pray that we lead a quiet and tranquil life. For there is one God and one mediator between God and us, Christ Jesus who gave himself as a ransom for all.

Tuesday: (1 Timothy 3) A bishop must be irreproachable, temperate, self-controlled, decent, hospitable, able to teach, gentle, and not contentious or a lover of money.  

Wednesday: (1 Timothy 3) He who was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed to the Gentiles, believed in, and taken up in glory.    

Thursday: (Ephesians 4) I urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you received, with humility and gentleness, patience, bearing with one another, preserving the bond of peace.

Friday (1 Timothy 6) Teach the words of Jesus and pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.

Saturday (1 Timothy 6) Keep the commandment without stain until the appearance of our Lord. He alone was immortality. To him be honor and eternal power.  

Gospel: 

Monday: (Luke 7) A Centurion was concerned about the live of his slave and he petitioned Jesus to heal him. I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof.

Tuesday: (Luke 7) Jesus raised from the dead the son of a widow. A great prophet has arisen in our midst and God has visited his people.  

Wednesday (Luke 7) To what can I compare this generation? We played the flute and you did not dance; we sang a dirge and you did not weep.  

Thursday (Matthew 9) Jesus saw a man at his customs post and said, “Follow me.” The Pharisees were upset that he ate with tax collectors, prostitutes, and sinners.   

Friday (Luke 8) Jesus journeyed from village to village, preaching the good news. Among his disciples were the Twelve and some women who were cured of various ailments.

Saturday (Luke 8) Jesus told a parable of the sower and the seed, the word of God.  

Saints of the Week

September 17: Robert Bellarmine, S.J., bishop and doctor (1542-1621) became a Jesuit professor at the Louvain and then professor of Controversial theology at the Roman College. He wrote "Disputations on the controversies of the Christian faith against the Heretics of this age," which many Protestants appreciated because of its balanced reasoning. He revised the Vulgate bible, wrote catechisms, supervised the Roman College and the Vatican library, and was the pope's theologian.

September 19: Januarius, bishop and martyr (d. 305), was bishop of Benevento during his martyrdom during the Diocletian persecution. He was arrested when he tried to visit imprisoned Christians. Legend tell us that a vial that contains his blood has been kept in the Naples cathedral since the 15^th century liquefies three times a year.

September 20: Andrew Kim Taegon, priest, martyr, Paul Hasang, martyr, and companion martyrs (19th century), were Korean martyrs that began to flourish in the early 1800’s. The church leadership was almost entirely lay-run. In 1836, Parisian missionaries secretly entered the country and Christians began to encounter hostility and persecutions. Over 10,000 Christians were killed. Taegon was the first native-born priest while the rest were 101 lay Christians.

September 21: Matthew, evangelist and Apostle (first century), may be two different people, but we have not historical data on either man. Since Matthew relies heavily upon Mark’s Gospel, it is unlikely that the evangelist is one of the Twelve Apostles. The Apostle appears in a list of the Twelve and in Matthew’s Gospel he is called a tax collector. The Evangelist is writing to Jewish-Christians who are urged to embrace their Jewish heritage and to participate in their mission to the Gentiles. To Matthew, Jesus is the fulfillment of the hopes of Jews and the inaugurator of a new way to relate to God.

September 22: Tomas Sitjar, S.J. and the martyrs of Valencia (1866-1936), were killed in the Spanish Civil War just a week after the war broke out. Sitjar was the Rector of Gandia and was formerly the novice director and metaphysics professor. The Jesuit Order was suppressed at the beginning of the war, which sent the men to disperse into apartments, but since they were known to the community, they were sought out, imprisoned, and later executed because of their belief in God.

September 23: Pio of Pietrelcina, priest (1887-1968) was affectionately named Padre Pio and was a Capuchin priest who received the stigmata (wounds of Christ) just as Francis of Assisi did. He founded a hospital and became the spiritual advisor to many at a monastery at San Giovanni Rotondo.

This Week in Jesuit History

·      Sep 17, 1621. The death of St Robert Bellarmine, bishop and doctor of the Church.

·      Sep 18, 1540. At Rome, Pedro Ribadeneira, aged fourteen, was admitted into the Society by St Ignatius (nine days before official papal confirmation of the Society).

·      Sep 19, 1715. At Quebec, the death of Fr. Louis Andre, who for 45 years labored in the missions of Canada amid incredible hardships, often living on acorns, a kind of moss, and the rind of fruits.

·      Sep 20, 1990. The first-ever Congregation of Provincials met at Loyola, Spain, on the occasion of the 450th anniversary of the approval of the Society and 500th anniversary of the birth of St Ignatius.

·      Sep 21, 1557. At Salamanca, Melchior Cano wrote to Charles V's confessor, accusing the Jesuits of being heretics in disguise.

·      Sep 22, 1774. The death of Pope Clement XIV, worn out with suffering and grief because of the suppression of the Society. False stories had been circulated that he was poisoned by the Jesuits.

·      Sep 23, 1869. Woodstock College of the Sacred Heart opened. With 17 priests, 44 scholastics, and 16 brothers it was the largest Jesuit community in the United States at the time.