June 15, 2010
Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
By Beth DeCristofaro
When Ahab heard these words (of God), he tore his garments and put on sackcloth over his bare flesh. He fasted, slept in the sackcloth, and went about subdued. Then the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Have you seen that Ahab has humbled himself before me? Since he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his time. I will bring the evil upon his house during the reign of his son.” (1 Kings 21:27-29)
Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy’. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.” (Matthew 5:43-43)
Piety
Help us, O God, to love and care for all that you have made. Forgive us for hiding from you, and for failing to love ourselves and others wholeheartedly. Help us to be humble. Quiet our fears. Teach us to follow our deepest longing to be with you, and to find your life-giving presence in every moment we live and every person we meet.
(Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church, http://www.spcworks.org/images/11-4-07bulletin.pdf )
Study
Today is the feast of St. Germaine Cousin, a French girl born in the mid 16th century who became known for her devotion to daily Mass and her holiness. Frail and sickly from birth, Germaine’s stepmother hated and abused her for her deformities. Germaine never returned the hatred but instead prayed for God’s protection and strength to please her mother and forgave her for the countless hurts inflicted. Amid the many miracles ascribed to her was on the occasion that Germaine’s mother was angry and cruel because she believed Germaine had stolen bread for a homeless beggar. Instead, as she knocked Germaine’s cloak to the ground, beautiful flowers fell out even though it was mid winter. Germaine offered the flowers to her mother saying that they were a gift from God to show God’s forgiveness.
God’s words to Ahab come to mind as I think of this truly wicked stepmother tale. I must admit that I feel that if anyone deserves to have evil brought upon her house, it would be a child abuser. But does God actually punish the child for the sins of the mother? Jesus’ words show the truth. Everyone has the right and the occasion for forgiveness. Jesus tells his followers to be more than generous with their love just as He says time and time again God is with God’s love. And just as all are worthy of God’s love, everyone has the opportunity for forgiveness – Ahab did and by repenting he gained forgiveness. His wife, Jezebel, did not repent of her sins and died a nasty death. Germaine’s stepmother’s heart was softened with the loving, forgiving nature of her daughter. All who are children of our heavenly Father have the possibility for forgiveness because they have the probability of God’s abounding love.
Action
Pray for someone who will not forgive you or who will not accept your forgiveness. In response, accept forgiveness with humility when it is offered. Try lavishly forgiving someone.
