How hard we pray for mercy when we sin terribly often wondering if God our Father will forgive us. Then we remember God’s mercy throughout the ages for the contrite of heart and spirit. And the great love for us as shown through His Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. What joy, what peace we receive through the mercy of our Lord.
How then can we perch ourselves on the loft and deny our sister, brother, friend, family member even a stranger that same joy and peace we received through forgiveness. We need to always remember it is the sin that we detest not the sinner. And that we ourselves are sinners. Whether or not those who have hurt us or sinned against us are truly sorry, is irrelevant. We should continue to pray and offer them to our Lord, only He can soften their hearts according to His Will.
The path of the righteous man or woman is never easy nor smooth; but with the grace of God, will triumph in any race against earthly Kings. For they run the course with strength and joy. Amen (Ps 19:5)
FIRST READING
1 Kings 18:41–46
GOSPEL
Matthew 5:20–26
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.
“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”
CatholicJules.net 