June 18, 2009
Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
If only you would put up with a little foolishness from me! Please put up with me. For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God, since I betrothed you to one husband to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:1-2
If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions. Matthew 6:14-15
Piety
Jesus told you he wants your peace,
and Jesus told you he wants you healed.
Jesus lifted up the blind man.
He lifted up the dead.
He lifted those who mourn their own.
He did just what he said,
and Jesus rose for you, and he rose for me.
He died and rose
that we might know his peace and Be forgiven, be forgiven,
be forgiven of the sin that you hold on.
Be forgiven, be forgiven,
Jesus died and rose
that you might know his love,
and be forgiven.
("Be Forgiven" by Tom Booth)
Study
Back in Science class, I remember learning about Newton's Law's of Motion. The third law goes something like this if I remember Mr. Malachi's lectures from Thorne Junior High: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Today, we learn God's First Law of Forgiveness. For every act of forgiveness we initiate, we will receive an equal share of forgiveness from God. However, if we do not practice forgiveness, then God has no reason to shower his forgiveness on us. He can save it for others who practice forgiveness with others.
Paul echoes a similar message – we humans can "be of God" that is we can choose to act like God and emulate his generosity toward others. Or not. It is our choice…we can forgive and be forgiven or we can withhold forgiveness and remain accountable for all of our sins.
Action
As the song Stairway to Heaven reminds us, "Yes, there are two paths you can go by but in the long run, there's still time to change the road you're on."
