23/02/2025

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Love your enemies. Be merciful. Judge not. Forgive.”

We – you and I – are invited to live the values of Jesus Christ.

Hate the sin. Love the sinner. Pray for those who aim to do you damage.

Thanks to God’s mercy on me and my failings, I try to be merciful with badies in my life.

As I know I do not know what is inside anyone’s skin, I do not judge the actor even if their actions are clearly not right.

Forgiving is – as the South Africans would say – Ubuntu: good for me as I stop feeling angry or resentful towards someone for their offence, flaw, or mistake. Good for the perpetrators of the evil deed as I no longer  wish to punish them.

I have learnt that at times it takes time before forgiveness kicks in. Years ago – probably 1984 - while I was Assistant priest at Our Lady of Grace, Chiswick, we got burgled. My first emotion generated the thought, “If I caught the bloke – not the word I used -  I’d break his many (not the word I used) fingers one by one.” 

However, within a few minutes, Christ’s life within me evaporated that idea. It was replaced by “Poor chap - not the word I used! – how sad to rob the church and priests. Unlikely to make him feel proud and brave.”

Remember, Christ said “what you do to the least of mine, you do unto me.” Not to forgive Christ is not a wise choice!

How about you? Are there people you have not yet forgiven? Remember, anger is bad for blood pressure – and speeds up ageing.

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