FORGIVE OUR SINS AS WE FORGIVE

 XXIV SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Matthew 18:21-35

There is a Bemba proverb that says: Umulandu taubola (a case never gets rotten). meaning that it never goes cold. The perpetrator of a crime may escape and hide, waiting for the case to be forgotten, but he is caught when he less expects. If someone has grievously offended another person, that insult will not be forgotten and will go on poisoning any relationship between them. In Bemba culture, the offender has to recognise his evil deeds, apologise and ask for forgiveness for his case to be solved. When the case is discussed and a solution is found, leading to reconciliation, the offender is accepted back in the family or the community and people will stop referring to that case. 

In the prevalent culture of our times, justice has become revenge, never giving time and space for repentance and conversion. In the society we live in, there is no place for pardon. Whoever does not conform to the accepted values must be mercilessly destroyed. The social media investigates, accuses, judges and condemns. The traditional norm that someone is innocent until proven guilty does not apply. And as Christians, we may easily behave in the same way, accepting the ideological new trend of cancel culture. Anything that has any flavour of past values is thrown overboard, being despised and condemned. Compassion and forgiveness are considered signs of weakness and have no place in a society that has no place for any kind of phobia. Any effort to facilitate the redemption of the sinner is considered connivance and it must be punished. However, Jesus came to bring redemption, reconciling us with God. All of us need redemption since all of us are sinners. Reconciliation with God and with others is only possible through forgiveness. Those who think of themselves as righteous, in their pride judge and condemn the others. By doing so, they pass judgment on themselves.

Whenever we pray “Our Father”, we ask the Lord to forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. This Sunday’s gospel illustrates the theme of forgiveness and reconciliation. Jesus tells the parable of the unforgiving servant. In the parable, we are called to reflect upon the contrast between God’s forgiveness and human forgiveness. The forgiveness granted by God is total and free, even though we do not show proper repentance. The servant who owed a huge amount to his lord did not ask to be forgiven. He asked for more time, trying to postpone the payment and delay the punishment. Despite that, he was forgiven the whole debt, out of compassion. Being forgiven, he was not able to forgive, even a small amount. To his fellow servant, he acted with a violent rage. Instead of compassion, he showed wickedness and for that, he was punished.

Lord, fill us with your Spirit so that we may forgive wholeheartedly with joy and with thanksgiving. 

LOVE CANNOT HURT YOUR NEIGHBOUR

XXIII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Matthew 18:15-20

Whenever a person, a community or a nation incurs in debt into debt, they put their well-being and even their future at risk. Thus, it is not surprising that Paul advises the Romans saying: “Avoid getting into debt” (Ro 13:8). Nowadays, there are many nations that borrow without caring about the future, making the life of their citizens very hard. We must learn to live with what we have or can produce.

However, there is a debt that cannot be avoided and that we should try to pay in full - the debt of “mutual love”. The commandment is very clear: “You must love your neighbour as yourself”. By keeping this commandment, we keep all the commandments. Indeed, “If you love your fellow men you have carried out your obligations” and “love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Ro 13:8,10) The mutual love that Paul speaks about is not a feeling or an emotion. Mutual love implies a commitment to the well-being of the other, because “Love does no wrong to a neighbour”. Love leads us to care for the salvation of our neighbours, the ones who cross paths with us. This care for the salvation of others must motivate us to announce the Good News, give witness to Jesus Christ and call to repentance and conversion. If we truly care for others, we must challenge and confront them whenever we notice that they are going astray. 

The prophet Ezekiel was called and entrusted with the mission of warning people, proclaiming faithfully the word of God. There is always the danger of becoming accommodating. Nowadays, with the individualism prevalent in our society, we may be told to mind your own business. And we keep silent as if we saw nothing wrong. Afraid of hurting the feelings of others, we put up with a lot of nonsense. The words addressed to Ezekiel apply to us as well: if “you do not speak to warn the wicked man to renounce his ways, then he shall die for his sin, but I will hold you responsible for his death.” (Ez 33:7-9).

In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus tells us of our duty to call out our brother who has strayed from the straight path. If he does not listen, then we should try again. If he persists, then we should inform the leaders of the community, who are given authority to deal with grave cases.

Finally, Jesus assures us of his presence, whenever we gather in his name. The Christian faith is to be lived in communion with the other disciples. It is not a private thing. By accepting Jesus as the Christ, we enter the community of his disciples. My salvation depends on the salvation of the others and vice-versa.

GET BEHIND ME

XXII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Matthew 16:13-20

All the New Testament, especially the gospels, was written as an answer to Jesus’ question: “Who do you say that I am?” Accepting Peter’s answer, Jesus considered his profession of faith as the rock upon which the Church is built. Indeed, Peter’s answer became the standard profession of faith of the Church: Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God. Changing Simon’s name to Peter, Jesus promised to entrust him with the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven.

However, we may ask ourselves about Peter's and the other apostles’ expectations about the Messiah. Like all the Jews, they were waiting for a Messiah full of power and riches who would overcome the enemies of the people of Israel and conquer the whole world to establish God’s kingdom. The Messiah has to be a great king, the greatest of all. And the Apostles would share in that power and glory. Up to the end, when Jesus was ascending to heaven, they kept this false hope (Act 1:6). Thus, it is not surprising that they were shocked when Jesus told them that he would be arrested and killed in Jerusalem. Worried and confused, Peter could not remain silent. In the name of all the others, he said: “Lord, this must not happen to you.” This shows that Peter cared about Jesus’ life. He was concerned out of love, even if he was motivated by self-interest as well. But Jesus would not have it and rebuked Peter with harsh words, calling him Satan and ordering him to get behind and follow his command. From being the rock of the Church, Peter becomes Satan to Jesus because “You are an obstacle in my path”. And Jesus explained: You are thinking in man’s way but God has a different way. The wisdom of this world puts forward power, wealth and fame as the great values to which we must dedicate our lives. However, that is a path that leads to oppression and exploitation because selfishness is at the centre of it all. This selfishness uses the others as tools, causing divisions and bringing hatred and enmity. It is not the way to freedom and peace. In the desert, when tempted by the devil, Jesus had refused bluntly all these considering them as false values. However, the devil would not desist and he spoke through Peter’s mouth with words that sounded caring and loving. Jesus’ way - the only way - is a way of service, commitment and faithfulness, even if he risks losing his life. If we want to find salvation, we must get behind Jesus and follow him, taking on our cross as we follow him.

YOU ARE THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD.

XXI SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Matthew 16:13-20

If we feel attracted and seduced by Jesus and wish to become his disciples, then we will have to answer the same question he asked those who followed him: “Who do you say I am?” This is a question that cannot be ignored or put aside. It is a very personal question that must be answered by each one of us and that answer must be echoed and affirmed in the community of disciples, that is in the Church. Simon answered: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And this answer is so important that it became the foundation of the Church, the rock upon which the Church is built.  There is no Church and we cannot be called Christians without the affirmation of faith made by Simon Peter. The gospels were written to lead us to Jesus and recognise him as the Messiah, the Son of God, so that in him we may have salvation: “These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (Jn 20:31).

There is no other purpose for evangelisation but to lead people to faith in Jesus Christ. That is Jesus’ commandment: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Mt 28:19-20)

Nowadays, there are many people, even leaders in the Church, who question themselves about the validity of evangelisation. Based on the falsely great values of woke ideology - diversity, equity and inclusion - they see evangelisation as offensive proselytism that denies diversity and despises the values of other peoples and cultures. If the gospel of Jesus Christ is faithfully proclaimed, it constitutes a challenge to any culture and all cultures. The motivations for proclaiming the gospel are never totally pure. Maybe, in our time, we would do things differently, but that does not mean that our motivations are holier and purer than those of our ancestors. Should we ask forgiveness for sins that we did not commit and for things that were not considered evil in past times? Afraid of causing harm and injury to others, we sit down and keep quiet, ignoring Jesus’ command and refusing to give clear witness to Him. Do we truly believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God? If we believe, we cannot keep quiet. Let’s proclaim at the top of our voices that Jesus is the Messiah and the Saviour, the Way, the Truth and the Life - because he is the Son of God.

A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL THE PEOPLES

XX SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Matthew 15:21-28

Reading this Sunday’s gospel, we are shocked at Jesus’ attitude towards the Canaanite woman. He did not answer her plea and ignored her tears. To her cries, he answered with silence. He behaved as if he was not there, as if he was not touched by the plight of that poor woman. But she went on crying: “‘Sir, Son of David, take pity on me.” Her cry was like the cry of the psalmist:

“Hear my cry, O God,

listen to my prayer;

from the end of the earth I call to you

when my heart is faint.” (Ps 61:1-2)

And in that woman’s voice, we hear the cry of the people who feel abandoned and left to fend for themselves:

“O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,

and by night, but I find no rest.” (Ps 22:2)

The apostles were puzzled. Jesus had always shown compassion, answering the requests of those who came to him in distress. Why was he keeping silent? And they pleaded with him. Although not moved by their words, Jesus explained his attitude. The woman was a foreigner and a pagan, and he had been “sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.” Was the scope of his mission so limited? Was he not the light of the world? Or the time was not yet ready? To the woman, he gave a similar explanation of his refusal, using the common language of the time.

This passage forces us to reflect on the silence of God before suffering. The psalmists had made that experience. Where is God when we mostly need him? So many times, we get tired of crying and receive no answer. Other times, the answer may seem to injure our dignity. This narrative of the gentile woman leads us to have a look at the Christian communities to whom Matthew wrote his gospel. The Christian Jews had been expelled from the synagogues and the mission to the lost sheep of Israel was in a great impasse. Meanwhile, many Gentiles were accepting the Gospel. Could they be accepted? Should the evangelists preach to them as well? Was the bread of life to be given to them or their time had not yet come? It seems as if Jesus wanted to delay the time for the universality of the gospel. However, with her insistence, the Canaanite woman forced his hand. And Jesus answered: “Woman, you have great faith. Let your wish be granted.” After the resurrection, Jesus would open wide the gates of his Church, ordering the apostles to go and preach the Gospel to all nations (Mt 28:19-209.

The universality of God’s plan of salvation was already hinted at by the prophet Isaiah. The foreigners can climb the mountain of the Lord and enter his holy temple. For that to happen, there is only one condition: to serve the Lord, love his name and cling to his covenant. And the house of the Lord “will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.” (Is 56:6-7)

LORD, SAVE US

XIX SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Matthew 14:22-33

Elijah became the role model for all the prophets that came after him. He was committed, courageous and bold. He was moved by a deep jealousy for God, which made him an example of faithfulness, putting his life totally at the service of God. And he was in a continuous search for the living God, making the long journey - the journey of life - to the “mountain of God”. In his search for God - a search in which he was being led by God, since there is no other way of knowing God but being illuminated by God himself - he had to discard false ideas of God. At Sinai, Moses and the people of Israel experienced God in the “mighty wind”, the earthquake and the tremendous fire. Elijah realised that God is not in any of those: “But the Lord was not in the wind. (…) But the Lord was not in the earthquake. (…) But the Lord was not in the fire.” (1 Kings 19:9,11-13). And he experiences the presence of God in the “sound of a gentle breeze”. A true experience of God may begin with a sense of awe and dread, but as one comes closer and closer to God, He will reveal himself as the gentle and loving God who fills the heart with joy and peace. He is the God who saves and shares his glory with us.

In the gospel, we find the apostles alone in the boat “battling with a heavy sea”, while Jesus had remained behind in prayer. Then, very early in the morning, they saw someone walking over the waters and “they were terrified” as if they were seeing ghosts. In difficult times, when we have to struggle with uncertainty as to the outcome, we can see ghosts everywhere. Forced to recognise our frailty, we feel lost and lose hope, because we act as if we are left to our fate. It was then that Jesus addressed them with reassuring words: “Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.” Those words brought new life to their sinking hearts. And Peter became bold enough to attempt to do what Jesus was doing. Why not? If Jesus did miracles and showed extraordinary powers, we should try to do the same, shouldn’t we? However, as Peter went into the waters, he got frightened by the force of the wind and the battering of the waves and began to sink. Then, as if in despair, he cried out: “Lord! Save me!” The echo of that still cry reverberates, being repeated by each one of us: “Lord! Save me!” Left alone, we drown in deep waters. We cannot save ourselves. We need Jesus to put out his hand and hold us firm. Then, with the apostles, we will bow down before Jesus and proclaim: “Truly, you are the Son of God.”

LISTEN TO HIM

XVIII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord - Matthew 17:1-9

In his second letter, Peter makes it clear that he is giving witness to what he saw and heard. What he says is not a fruit of any kind of dreaming or of “any cleverly invented myths”. He is speaking of someone whom he lived with and by whom he was touched deeply. And he was not alone; he was with his companions who heard the voice from heaven which said: “‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour.’ We heard this ourselves, spoken from heaven, when we were with him on the holy mountain.” It was this experience that led them to read the Scriptures as speaking of Jesus, the Messiah: “So we have confirmation of what was said in prophecies” (2 Peter 1:16-19).

In connection with the Transfiguration of the Lord, in the first reading, we hear Daniel speak of his vision of the Son of man, who presents himself before the throne of the “one of great age” to receive “sovereignty, glory and kingship”. His kingdom will be a universal kingdom “and men of all peoples, nations and languages became his servants.” His empire will never be destroyed.” (Dan 7:9-10,13-14).

Jesus presented himself as the Son of man and when Caiaphas asked him about his claims to be the Messiah, he answered: “You will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Mt 26:64). Jesus took for himself the role of the son of man announced by the prophet Daniel. It is about him that the Father says: “This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.” In these words, the Father reveals the Son and, while doing so, commanded the disciples to listen to him. While Jesus’ glory was being manifested, “Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him.” They did not appear for the sake of Jesus, since they appeared to them (the disciples) as an indication that the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah) speak of Christ and lead us to Christ.

The revelation of Jesus’ glory was so fulfilling to the apostles and filled them with such joy that they fell into ecstasy. They forgot about time and place and themselves, being filled with the desire of remaining there forever: “It is wonderful for us to be here”.

Speaking about the resurrection, Paul writes our bodies will be transformed in the manner of the glorious body of Jesus Christ (Phil 3:21). If Peter, still in his earthly body, felt such joy in contemplating Jesus’ glory, how much greater will be our joy when our bodies will be glorified like the body of Christ. For that to happen, we must obey God’s commandment: Listen to him.