Know Scripture

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ: As Catholics, we have been criticized for not knowing scripture. We have been criticized for not being able to quote chapter and versus. Is that what God is really calling us to do, to be able to cite the Bible chapter and verse. How many times has Jesus reprimanded the Pharisees and Scribes for knowing the commandments but for not living the commandments of God? What is more important, to know scripture in your mind or to know scripture in your heart. Living the scripture is to enter into a relationship with God, knowing what God wants and what the scriptures are teaching us. If we truly want to know and live the scripture of God, then we must be willing to do what the scriptures ask of us. This includes asking God to “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells Peter, it is not enough to forgive those who sin against you seven times but seventy times. God asks us to offer compassion and love for our enemies and for those who have sinned against us. This gives God the greatest pleasure in this offering. How can you honor God if you have resentment for your fellow brothers and sisters? Our ability to forgive is such a simple gift which comes only from our heart. This is a gift that invites God into our lives in the most special of ways. It moves us from one who is a master and dominator to one who is a servant. When we reject the temptation to condemn, good defeats evil. Each of us will be subject to judgment one day. Our time on earth is but a split second in eternity. Do not spend eternity having to undo the evil which you have dispensed on earth. Today’s Gospel (Matthew 18:21-35) is a response to Peter’s request about forgiving those who sin against us. In this parable, a Master is settling the debts with his servants; however, one of the servants can not repay his debt. The master ordered that he and his family be sold to pay the debt. He begs his Master to have mercy on him, that he will repay his debt. The Master, sympathetic with his plea, lets the servant go and forgives him of his debt. How does the servant repay his kindness, by going out and demanding that one of his fellow servants repay a much smaller debt? When this servant pleaded for mercy, the servant did not listen. He sent his fellow servant to prison until his debt was repaid. If God will rescue me from my own faults and my own sins, should I not forgive those who sin against me? Resentment and grudges separate us from each other while mercy and forgiveness build bridges. Ask yourself; are you a bridge builder or a bridge burner? Bridge-building is costly. Building a strong bridge is not easy, but the bridge links the two shores freeing those on both sides. This is the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross. A simple prayer Lord, may the saving sacrifice we offer bring us your forgiveness, so that freed from sin, we may always please you. While examining your soul today, think about those who have sinned against you – forgive them, forgive them again, forgive them again and again. Yours in Christ Michael Marcon PS Can you quote today’s Gospel or can you live it? Know the Gospel in your heart.