+ Above all Jesus came to be a reconciler - and
when we participate in reconciliation we not only further his cause, but we
participate in his very life! That none of us is perfect is nothing new – that
all of us are called to constant conversion and willingness to reconcile and
“get past things” – can be very new – so new that few are truly willing to try
it. When God reconciles and forgives – he also forgets; but when men reconcile
and forgive we rarely forget; and this is sadly detrimental to any progress in
interpersonal relations. The point of the readings today is that it is not only
possible to forget [with divine aid] but also of paramount importance. Why drag
around unnecessary baggage in our dealings with one another; why defeat the
whole purpose and power of reconciliation that God can bring about because of
our narrow views and prejudices.
While we can never condone
evil, and while we must do all we can to bring the sinner to repentance, we
also ought not hold his iniquities against him once he turns to God in his
heart – which is a private matter anyway – which we have no right to judge at
all.
In any event, we must remember
that the gift we offer at the altar each time we come to mass is only as pure and as valid as the forgiveness
we hold in our hearts for all our brothers and sisters…and may we not incur
the wrath of God for being any less merciful than he is.
Cast
away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the Lord, and make for
yourselves a new heart and a new spirit...and then it matters not
what anyone says of us, or thinks of us!
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