From the Pastor's Desk

The offering of forgiveness is one of the sometimes painful ways that we need to take up our cross and follow Jesus, whether in the 1st Century Matthean community or for us today. The conversation between Peter and Jesus in today's Gospel brings us back to Jesus' teaching on the Mount of Beatitudes where He introduced His teaching being the “blueprint of the Christian way of life” in particular, the idea of forgiveness. “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.” Mercy goes against our fallen human nature. Our tendency goes to play favorites, hold grudges, resent insults, demand our “rights” and care much more about our own hopes, plans, and problems than about others. When we refuse to forgive the offenses others cause us, we handcuff God's mercy and put ourselves under strict justice.
 
So, in today's parable, Jesus gives us the secret to forming a patient forgiving heart. It consists in recognizing the immense evil of our own sin, and thereby perceiving the vastness of God's goodness in forgiving it. Because forgiveness doesn't mean ignoring an offense or a crime, pretending it never happened. Forgiveness and mercy means refusing to let someone else's sin define our life. This is what Jesus showed us on the cross when He forgave His executioners. His example shows us the path to true interior peace and strength.
 
After all, forgiveness is an act of the will. It is a decision to let go of the desire for revenge and release the offender into the hands of God. This process liberates us from “wrath and anger” and brings us closer to an authentic relationship with the Lord and the idea of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. It invites us to be merciful as our Father in heaven is merciful (see Luke 6:36; Matthew 5:48). But why? Why does Jesus repeatedly warn that we can’t expect forgiveness for our trespasses unless we’re willing to forgive others their trespasses against us? Because, as Paul reminds us in today’s Epistle, we are the Lord’s. Each of us has been purchased by the blood of Christ shed for us on the Cross (see Revelation 5:9). As we sing in today’s Psalm, though we deserved to die for our sins, He doesn’t deal with us according to our crimes. The mercy and forgiveness we show to others should be the heartfelt expression of our gratitude for the mercy and forgiveness shown to us.
 
This Sunday, September 17^th, the Church celebrates “Catechetical Sunday.” The theme of this year’s celebration is "Come to me all you who labor and are burdened." With these words from the Gospel (Matthew 11:28), the Lord Jesus offers an invitation to follow Him and the promise that He doesn’t want to add to our burdens; He wants to lighten them.  Therefore, Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. Catechetical Sunday is an opportunity for all to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith.
 
This time offers a special opportunity to express our profound thanks to Laura Austin – Coordinator of the Family Faith Formation, coordinator of the Adult Faith Formation Programs – Alex Kilates, coordinator of RCIA/C process – Jon Ayres, and all of the faithful and devoted catechists who work hard all year long to assist parents to pass on the faith. They truly incarnate their role in the true meaning of the word “catechist” which comes from the Greek word "catechesis," meaning "to echo, or resound." Catechesis is the act of resounding or bringing the Church's teachings to the world. A catechist is one who teaches in the name of the Church and on behalf of the entire St. Luke Parish community, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.   May the Lord bless you and continue to use you as an instrument of His Will. You are a true blessing to all of us. We pray that God our Father, the Father of Love, will fill you with confidence and joy as you proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit as you continue to invite others to open the doors of their hearts to the gift of faith.
 
The gift of forgiveness brings us face to face with Jesus and offers the removal of our blindness, softening of our hearts, and drawing ever closer in our relationship with the Lord in the Eucharist.
 
Have a blessed week everybody! 
 
With prayers,
Fr. Andy
 

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