The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, September 11, 2005
The Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Sirach 27:30—28:7
Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12
Romans 14:7-9
Matthew 18:21-35

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Love Forgives the Debt

God generously allows Himself to be moved with compassion, forgives, and expects one’s corresponding gift of loving mercy for others.

One witnesses in the torrents of a hurricane’s wrath and destruction, the mortal wounds of lives lost, families splintered, homes and work taken. There is a “debt” of need that is created that seeks forgiving remediation and healing for these mortal wounds of death and destruction.

Compassionate waves of generous care, opened hearts, homes, jobs, and medicine, reveal God’s mercy through those who provide a magnanimous ‘seventy-seven times’ response to this “debt” of need. The mortal wounds suffered will gracefully heal through His merciful love that “forgives” to bring forth new life, hope and peace through His servants. This echoes His question, “Which is easier to say, “Pick up your mat and walk”, or “Your sins are forgiven?”

“How often and how much must I ‘forgive’?” is answered in the recognition of one’s total debt to God. The truth that all one is -- and has -- is from God, inspires “What can I give Him in return for what He so generously gives to me?" … surely, all that I am, all that I have, is not enough! The repayment of our debt through forgiveness, mercy, and love extended to others, is commanded in His “Love one another as I have loved you.”

O Lord, may the debt of the immense sorrow, loss, and destruction suffered by so many, be forgiven through our tireless help, prayers and compassion through Your redeeming mercy.

Amen, Amen....


- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)