I want to start today by calling to mind thoughts expressed by Thomas Merton and the Dalai Lama that clearly indicate that God's ways are not our ways and our ways are not God's ways.
"Nonviolence does not guarantee success, but it does guarantee possibilities. Violence also does not guarantee success - it guarantees more violence." -- Thomas Merton
". . .At the end of the talk someone from the audience asked the Dalai Lama, "Why didn't you fight back against the Chinese?" The Dalai Lama looked down, swung his feet just a bit, then looked back up at us and said with a gentle smile, "Well, war is obsolete, you know." Then, after a few moments, his face grave, he said,
"Of course the mind can rationalize fighting back. . . but the heart, the heart would never understand. Then you would be divided in yourself, the heart and the mind, and the war would be inside you."In my mind I integrated these thoughts with some of the teachings of the first reading, "Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight ... forgive your neighbors' 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 the Most High's covenant and overlook faults."
The gospel from St. Matthew highlights God's way, "Peter approached Jesus and asked him, 'Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I say to you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'" That is God's way but the parable that Jesus tells expresses our eagerness to be forgiven and our reluctance to forgive: The servant who owed so much could never have met his obligation in repaying what he owed. Whereas his fellow servant who owed but a little compared to his debt, could have settled his debt if given time.
I believe that all of us like to have peace of mind, and when we have a conscience we do not like to contend with the effects of wrath and anger and the refusal to forgive others. Forgiveness is so much more than saying I'm sorry; it is a process whereby we are able to obtain peace of mind. It's a real responsibility, not just empty words. The object of forgiveness is reconciliation, so we can understand that what God says to us is for our own good. Real forgiveness or reconciliation is all about making right where we have wronged. The responsorial psalm expresses God's way so that we can make his way our way:
"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.
redeems your life from destruction, he 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."Glad you put the wonderful quotes to set the tone for a wonderful lesson from Fr. Baca. Happiness comes with Peace. Maddi
