Homily: Third Tuesday of Lent
Third Tuesday of Lent (Mt.18:21-35) “I Forgive You Again”
The Jewish religion was governed by the laws and rules that were contained in the Pentateuch. There were also the interpretations of those laws. The rabbis would render their opinions and those were treated as an addendum to the laws of Moses. The things that a rabbi would comment on would revolve around what the law did not cover. The law of Moses would have made comments about being forgiving, but it would not have said how many times one would forgive.
The Rabbis offered their opinion. The thought was that someone should forgive three times. Rabbi Jose ben Hanina said: “He who begs forgiveness from his neighbor must not do so more than three times……. the fourth time they do not forgive.”
Peter knew that opinion. For that reason, he said what he said to Jesus, “Lord when my neighbor offends me do I need to forgive him seven times.” Peter was doubling the number of times forgiveness was expected and adding one. He thought he would impress Jesus with his benevolence. But instead of surprising Jesus with his compassion he is surprised by Jesus’ compassion.
Jesus tells him that a person should forgive another seventy time seven times. In other words, forgiveness should be unending. Is this unrealistic? Yes, it is. But how often do we see people forgive multiple times. Isn’t it more like that when someone offends us, we steer clear of them from that point onward? The person who can forgive over and over is a rare bird.
Unfortunately, we see that too often in church activities. A church member does something to offend another, and it is never forgiven or forgotten. The typical church community has individuals who have been at odds for years. You can quickly figure out the dynamics. You would think that church members would be more forgiving of each other than society at large and maybe we are. But we always can be better of this most basic of Christian virtues (forgiveness).
Reflection Questions:
- How many times do I forgive someone? Do I hold on to past hurts?
- Who am I most at odds with? If they hurt me multiple times is Jesus saying I need to go back for more abuse?
Dear Parishioners,
Bishop Tylka wrote us a letter today that restored the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. Two years ago, at the start of the COVID crisis all Catholics in the United States were released from the Sunday obligation to attend Mass. This was the decision made by every bishop for their diocese. Individual bishops have restored the obligation to attend Mass at different times.
Bishop Tylka states in his letter that the Sunday obligation will be back in force on Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. He also reminds people that you are not obligated to go to Mass if you are sick or are contagious. This has always been the case.
He also reminded everyone that watching Mass online does not fulfill a Roman Catholic’s obligation to attend Sunday Mass. He does encourage parishes to continue to livestream Masses so that shut ins can watch their parish worship. Sacred Heart will continue with this practice.
Please give your friends and neighbors the news. We need to have people in church if we are going to be a healthy parish.
May Our Lady of Peace pray for the suffering people of Ukraine.
Fr. Mark