September 11, 2011
Sirach 27:30-28:9; Psalm
103; Romans 14:7-9; Matthew 18:21-35
Sirach
writes, "Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them
tight." These are important words to hear as we remember the September
11th attacks on the United States. Of course, it is right that we experience
anger and prudential expression of that anger is warranted. We cannot hold onto
it possessively or unleash it with a fury because it doesn't do us or anyone
else any good. Anger needs to be expressed so it can lead to forgiveness and
reconciliation. It is helpful to remember last Sunday's reading from Romans
where Paul writes, "Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the
fulfillment of the law." It is an ideal that we move towards progressively
and in stages.
It
is difficult for us to imagine how to progress in this manner because we cannot
do it from our own resources. The parable that Jesus tells about the king who
decides to settle account with his servants helps us grasp the possibilities
for a new way of thinking and acting. Moved with compassion, the good king forgives
the debt of his pleading servant who owes him a great deal. Faced with the same
situation, the forgiven servant does not forgive a man who owes him a much
smaller amount. In fact, he condemns him to prison to the dismay of the king.
It
is extraordinarily difficult to forgive one another unless we first experience
the grace of being forgiven. If we scan our memories for these examples we will
find many instances of receiving mercy when we did not deserve it. If we review
the world and local news each day, we are bound to find astonishing stories of
kindness and compassion. Mercy fuels the world. Sometimes we see only the awful
things and our brokenness. We find what we seek. If I look at the bad, I see
the bad; If I set my eyes on the good, the good comes into focus.
We
begin our path to mercy and reconciliation when we let Jesus save into our
memories those times we were forgiven. We can easily recall them to discern our
choices in difficult times. It is good to live out of those memories because we
recall the pleasant feelings that affirm our inner selves and they help us
choose the good and the right. When we act mercifully towards others we let go
of the consuming part of anger and we build a world that is more respectful and
considerate of neighbors' boundaries. The world does not revolve around our
negative judgments and expectations, but our decisions can enliven the poor in
spirit around us. One act of mercy leads to the probabilities of many more.
This is a world in which I would like to live.
Our
local and international world needs more acts of kindness and mercy - even in
the face of hatred. It takes a strong person (or nation) to look evil in the
face and still choose compassion and forgiveness. It may go against every fiber
in our lives to choose this course, but we can expect the repercussions of
these actions will travel far and wide. Every relationship we have benefits
from wise and noble responses. We can never undo the damage done to us by
another; we can, however, erase the sting from our memories with the soothing,
healing, reconciling mercy that comes from a transformed heart. Hearts that
seek greater charity will lead us to the world we all want.
Themes for this Week’s Masses
First
Reading: Paul writes to Timothy to assert that there is
only one God as there is only one mediator between God and humans. He asks that
people live in peace and spirit of thanksgiving for receiving the faith. They
are to pray and sanctify one another. The office and qualities of a bishop and
his deacons are outlined. They are to be holy, temperate, self-controlled,
decent, hospitable, sober, gentle, and able to teach the faith. They are to
teach what they have heard and known that comes from Jesus Christ and to
conform their actions and behaviors to what they teach. A good, gentle teacher
will be known for his fidelity to Christ. Paul urges the people to keep the
commandments without stain or reproach until Jesus comes again on the Day of
the Lord. Church leaders are to signify Christ's presence among the faithful
ones.
Gospel:
Jesus is amazed at the faith of a Roman centurion who asks him to heal a slave
who was important to him. The centurion says all he needs are the words of
Jesus, not his presence to save his servant. Jesus grants it. Jesus then
journeys to Nain where he raises the dead widow's son to life bringing to mind
Elijah's visit to the starving widow and her son centuries before. After Jesus goes
from town to town, preaching the good news, he rests with the Twelve and his
disciples. Among them are many woman who were cured from evil spirits and
infirmities. They rest and spend time with one another as friends spend time
together. Afterwards a large crowd gathers around Jesus and he begins to speak
of the kingdom in parables. He tells them about the sower who planted seeds on
various soils; the fruit that grows best is like the one who hears the word of
God, embraces it with a generous and good heart, and bears fruit through
perseverance.
Saints of the Week
Monday: The Name of Mary was given to the child in the octave that follow
her birth on September 8th. Mary (Miriam) was a popular name for a girl because
it means "beloved."
Tuesday: John Chrysostom, bishop and doctor (347-407) was a gifted
homilist and was called "Golden Mouth" because his words inspired
many. He was raised in Antioch and joined a community of austere hermits but
the lifestyle damaged his health. He became the archbishop of Constantinople
where he introduced many conservative and unpopular reforms. He fled to escape
an uprising from the people and on the way to exile he died.
Wednesday: The Triumph of the Holy Cross remembers the finding
of the true cross by the Emperor Constantine's mother, Helen in early 4th
century. Two churches were dedicated in the name of the cross on this day in
the 4th century. Therefore, the feast was applied to this day. In the 7th
century, the feast was renamed, "The Triumph." The Church of the Holy
Sepulcher in 335 was also dedicated on this day.
Thursday: Our
Lady of Sorrows was once called the Seven Sorrows of Mary as introduced by
the Servite Friars. After suffering during his captivity in France, Pius VII
renamed the devotion that encapsulates: Simeon's prophecy, the flight into
Egypt, searching for Jesus at age 12 in the Temple, the road to Calvary, the
crucifixion, the deposition, and the entombment.
Friday: Cornelius,
pope and martyr (d. 253) and Cyprian, bishop and martyr (200-258) both
suffered in the Decian persecutions. Cornelius was being attacked by Novatian,
but since Novatian's teachings were condemned, he received the support of the
powerful bishop, Cyprian. Cyprian was a brilliant priest and bishop of Carthage
who wrote on the unity of the church, the role of bishops, and the sacraments.
Cyprian died under Valerius after supporting his church in exile by letters of
encouragement.
Saturday: 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.
This Week in Jesuit History
·
Sep 11, 1681. At Antwerp, the death of
Fr. Geoffry Henschen (Henschenius). A man of extraordinary learning, he was Fr.
Jan von Bolland's assistant in compiling the Acts of the Saints.
·
Sep 12, 1744. Benedict XIV's second
Bull, Omnium Sollicitudinum, forbade
the Chinese Rites. Persecution followed in China.
·
Sep 13, 1773. Frederick II of Prussia
informed the pope that the Jesuits would not be suppressed in Prussia and
invited Jesuits to come.
·
Sep 14, 1596. The death of Cardinal
Francis Toledo, the first of the Society to be raised to the purple. He died at
age 63, a cardinal for three years.
·
Sep 15, 1927. Thirty-seven Jesuits
arrived in Hot Springs, North Carolina, to begin tertianship. The property was
given to the Jesuits by the widow of the son of President Andrew Johnson.
·
Sep 16, 1883. The twenty-third General
Congregation opened at Rome in the Palazzo Borromeo (via del Seminario). It
elected Fr. Anthony Anderledy Vicar General with the right of succession.
·
Sep 17, 1621. The death of St Robert
Bellarmine, bishop and doctor of the Church.
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