Sunday 13th September
“Forgive your neighbour the hurt he does you; and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven.”
Ecclesiasticus 27:33-28:9
Today’s reading from Ecclesiasticus is challenging because it speaks very directly to what we can harbour in our hearts. It reminds us that anger, resentment and the desire for revenge can slowly take hold of us and become obstacles to living the life God calls us to live. At the heart of God’s character are love, kindness, mercy and forgiveness. This is who God is. And as his children, we are called to reflect that same character in the way we treat others.
The reading asks us: ”If a man nurses anger against another, can he then demand compassion from the Lord?” Forgiveness does not mean that the hurt was insignificant or that what happened was acceptable. Rather, forgiveness frees our hearts from anger and resentment. As we reflect on this passage, may we ask ourselves: Is there someone we are still holding anger against? Is there someone we need to forgive? The mercy we have received from God is also the mercy we are called to extend to others