Monday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s reading from Wisdom 1, the line that states “for perverse counsels separate a man from God” stood out to me, especially in light of the Gospel reading where sin and forgiveness are the subject of Jesus’ teaching. Sin, however big or small, separates us from God. When we sin do we feel the sorrow of that separation? Does it come to mind that our impatience, anger, lie, laziness, neglect, or disobedience is a break in our relationship with the Father? Or do we focus on blaming another, minimizing the sin, or justifying it?
When I hear this passage from Luke, I often focus on being the forgiver. I have looked to that passage as a reminder that we need to forgive others again and again. However, in reflecting on the readings this time around, I thought about being the sinner, the one who has wronged another seven times in one day; the one who must constantly go and say “I am sorry.” As important as it is to forgive, we must also seek forgiveness, and repair what we have broken. Not only must we repair the relationship with the person we harmed by our sin, but we must also say “I am sorry” to God, to seek His forgiveness.
With the holiday season right around the corner, this can be a difficult or joyous time of year. Many of the difficulties lie in family strife and broken relationships. I encourage all of us to take time and reflect on who we might need to say “I am sorry” to. Take courage and say those words out loud to another. These words can bring healing and peace- not only for the one on the receiving end of the words but for the one saying them as well. Those words can turn a difficult season into a joyful one. And be prepared to forgive always, in case one seeking forgiveness comes your way.
Mary Dowsett