Forgive

My dear Friends in Christ,

When Pope Benedict XVI visited Ground Zero in New York City on April 20, 2008, his prayer included these words: “Turn to your way of love those whose hearts and minds are consumed with hatred … and give us the wisdom and courage to work tirelessly for a world where true peace and love reign among nations and in the hearts of all.” And so today we remember the close to 3,000 people who perished on September 11, 2001 as planes crashed into the World Trade Center. As the Pope prayed that God turn such hateful hearts and minds to the way of love, perhaps many of us praying that our hatred of our attackers would not cause us to be similarly consumed with hate. If that were to happen, would we not, then, be yet another victim of the 9/11 attacks? How awful even to this day would it be if the evil and hatred of others caused our minds and hearts to be consumed with hate? As followers of Jesus, we can’t let vengeance enter into our hearts and minds. The three parables in today’s Gospel reveal a God who does not seek vengeance on the sinner. He is one who is always ready to seek out and forgive. In his words, Pope Benedict XVI was calling us to take on the heart and mind of Jesus, the one who was generous in mercy and willing to lay down His life for those entrusted to His care. In all things, including our dealings with those who may be blinded by hatred, may our minds and hearts be formed by the life and teachings of Christ.

May God bless you all,

Father John