Forgivness

The scripture readings for the Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time can be found at http://usccb.org/bible/readings/091717.cfm 

 We're living in a wonderful world full of technology and great advancements. Through technology we can speak instantly to those clear on the other side of the world. We can travel faster then ever in the history of the world. With modern technology, the world, indeed, is a smaller place.

Yet, how much have we advanced in the love and forgiveness of those around us? The scripture readings for today show us that things haven't really changed all that much since agent times. In our first reading from Sirach, we read that "War and anger are hateful things, yet the sinners hugs them tight." (Sirach 27:30) It seams that in our day and age, whether here in the United States or around the world, we see acts of war and anger. People hugging tight to anger and hatred. Sirach goes on to tell us, "Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor..." (Sirach 28:7) With all the strife we see in recent times, we need to be reminded to "hate not your neighbor."

In the gospel for today, our Lord gives Peter and us a great challenge. Peter asks how often must I forgive my brothers sins against me? Seven times? Jesus' response is clear, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times." (Matthew 18:22) Then Jesus tells of the servant receiving forgiveness of his debts from his master, yet is unwilling to show the same mercy to a fellow servant who owes him a great deal less.

We all turn to God to seek forgiveness for all our sins and wrongdoings. We also hope and pray that those we have hurt are willing to forgive us as God is willing to forgive us. Sometimes these hurts can go back a long way with our family or with friends. There may be people we haven't spoken to in years because of a long ago hurt. We need to move beyond the hurt and reach out to forgive and to ask for forgiveness.

Jesus is calling us to forgive our brothers and sisters from the heart. When we are truly reconciled and forgiving to each other, then we can find that peace that can only come from God.

Moving!!

"Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Over the last two weeks my family and I have moved from an apartment that we lived in for 17 years to a new and beautiful apartment in Co-Op City in the Bronx, New York.

I'm sure you have experienced the stress and anxiety of packing & moving. First the packing was difficult since a lot can accumulate over 17 years. What do we keep? What do we throw away? Even though I wasn't perfect at it (much to my wife's dismay), I found "LESS IS MORE!"

We finally lined up a mover and it took two days to do the move!! The movers were good and professional and we finally made it!!

Part of the move also is the leaving behind the memories one accumulates at an old home. My son was six when we moved there (now 23) and our daughter was 10 (now 27). A lot of memories of the school years, church activities, easy times, difficult times. It's hard to leave that behind!

Then I realized that I'm not leaving them behind. They come with me and my family wherever we may be, while making new memories.

At my new apartment (much bigger than the one we left behind) is a short walk from St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church where I hope to serve as a deacon. St. Michael was always part of the process of waiting for this apartment. After we applied for an apartment at Co-Op City, I paid a visit to St. Michael's Church and asked him to intercede for us to get an apartment here. My kitchen window overlooks St. Michael's!!

So, I am grateful to St. Micheal for getting us here.

I am also grateful to God for the times, good and bad, at the old place, and look forward to making new memories at the new apartment.

I was thinking of all this as I was just recently watching a classic movie with Gregory Peck called, "The Keys of the Kingdom", a movie made in 1944 (I highly recommend it). One of the superiors of the Gregory Peck character, by this time a Catholic Priest, was advising Fr. Chisholm about making a difficult decision. The Bishop, played by Edmund Gwenn, says, "Why don't we just allow God to do with us what he Wills", implying that if we trust in God in all that occurs in our life, we will find peace and contentment.

So, at my new apartment, I plan on allowing God to do with me what he Wills in order to find happiness n my new home, and in my service as a deacon in His Church.