Once when Leonardo Da Vinci was painting the “Last Supper” he became angry with his assistant. His temper flared as he bashed out with bitter words. Returning to his work he attempted to brush a few delicate lines on the face of Jesus. But he was so troubled that he could not regain his composure. Unable to continue he finally left his painting material and went to look for the man and asked his forgiveness. Only after his felt forgiven, and he felt right with his conscience he could go back and complete the face of Jesus.
Remember
In a fast moving life, we often tend to ignore, disregard, and pay less attention to our inner life, our inner conflicts, and spiritual life. Today Sirach points out feelings of Anger, Wrath, Vengeance, unforgiving attitudes that we struggle in daily life. He uses the word Remember four times so we can listen to God, our neighbor and ourselves. As students we know, when we listen we can remember. We have taken a break from our daily routines of life. We have come to listen to God speaking to us personally, in our family and community.
How can we listen to God today, “The Lord” as palmist proclaims: merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and steadfast in love. We have come to celebrate this Eucharist – a memorial of God’s love in Jesus. Jesus who said: Do this in memory of me. How can we fully participate in this memorial of Christ’s passion and celebration of the Eucharist? Jesus who taught us pray: Forgive our sins and as forgive the sins of those who have sinned against us? Do I need to or remember to Reconcile with my brother or sister?
Reconciliation
Reconciliation is not easy. In fact Peter was generous when he said 7 times forgiveness, as the socio-cultural rule determined 3 times was more than enough. Jesus says forgiveness should be uncountable, unconditional, and eternal. The story of the two debtors shows the immeasurable generosity of the Lord to forgive: They say 10,000 talents at present could be valued at 4.5 Billion dollars. Imagine, one who was forgiven so much was not able to forgive someone who owed him 100 denarii which is equal to 12,000 dollars. It is sad is not to forgive, as it eliminates joy of our life and fills with jealousy, anger and misery.
We often feel that if I forgive then I am a week person, How much forgive him or her, when they hurt me again and again. It takes courage to forgive. Cross is symbol of that courage of God to forgive us. Forgiveness is divine act of love as it binds the broken relationships, clams down the sleepless troubled mind, returns the joy to stressed soul, and peace and wellbeing to the community. Speaking about reconciliation in the community, today we offer this mass in honor St. Marguerite Bourgeois, as this year marks the 400th anniversary of her birth. We thank the Sisters and Associates being part of this mass and ask your support and prayers for their ministry. One of St. Marguerite ministries was reconciliation as when there was war between first settlers and first nation community, she courageously went to bandage the wounds of native soldiers, later opened the schools to educate everyone both settlers and natives. May she inspire and intercede us as we are in the process of reconciliation with the Frist nation communities. May Lord lead us in Truth, Justice and Peace.
Redemption
Only when we as individuals and as in community reconcile, then we will find Redemption. Sirach rightly questions us asking: Does anyone harbor anger against another, and expect healing from the Lord? We cannot hide sin from God’s sight, and we cannot hide away from God’s love. We need to express and expose our inner conflicts before God’s healing presence and in patience wait for God’s redemptive love. Eucharist is the memorial and celebration of God’s redemptive love. With humility, let us remember to ask forgiveness for our sins from God and our brothers and sisters, so we are able to Reconcile with one another and fulfill the Redemption brought Jesus, our Lord.