Today is the tenth anniversary of one of the worst days in the history of the United States. It still makes our blood boil to think of all the innocent people who were killed by the terrorists in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania. Many in America, sadly, have responded to hate with hate, to anger with anger. We do need to defend ourselves from terrorists. But we also need to realize that anger can often be misguided. It can turn into hatred. It often can be responsible for people acting in ways that certainly are not the ways of the Lord[1].
By a complete co-incidence, the readings today speak about anger and hatred. The liturgy of this day invites us, guides us, and brings us to reflect on forgiveness. And forgiveness is not only beneficial to the community or family, or group, especially beneficial to the person who opens his heart and forgives. St. John Chrysostom[2], a saint very interesting because he was persecuted and exiled from his diocese many times, in one of his best sermons, says: «Let us not think when we forgive others that we are doing a good turn or bestowing a great favor to them. It is we ourselves, after all, who obtain the benefit of our good deed, and accord great gain to ourselves from the action. Let us keep this in mind, and no longer bear to hold a grudge against those who have done us injury, nor be badly disposed against them; instead, let us consider the fact that reconciliation with those who injure us turns out to be a discharge of our sins. Thus let us show all enthusiasm and effort, let us display as much care of those who injure us as if they were really our benefactors»[3].
“But, Father, you don't know what so and so did to me.” You are right, I don't know. Nor do you know what another so and so did to me. But how can I progress in Christianity if I refuse to let go of the dock that my anger is tied to. Hatred, my brother, my sister, hatred will consume us in the same way it consumed that servant in today’s Gospel reading who had been forgiven a great debt but who was still furious with another servant who owed him just a few[4].
Next Wednesday is the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross. The cross is not jewelry. The cross is a reminder of the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. The cross is a reminder of the Gospel of the Lord. St. Paul tells Timothy, If I do not preach the gospel of Christ, then the cross loses its power[5]. The Gospel of Christ demands forgiveness. It demands the sacrifice of that grudge that we actually enjoy harboring. The Gospel of Christ demands forgiveness when we have been offended. The Gospel of Christ demands our living the condition of the Lord’s Prayer: Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. The Gospel of Christ is not easy, it is out and out tough. But by putting our hatred to death, we give life to our love and more importantly, by putting our hatred to death, we give life to his love.
Should we go on hating the terrorists who caused our country so much pain ten years ago? No. We hate the deed, but not the people. We hate the forces of evil causing so many deaths throughout the world. But we don’t hate the individuals. We can’t hate and be followers of Christ.
Is there someone whom you or I hate today? Was there a situation from many years ago that has had a negative impact on our lives? The gospel for today says, "Let go. Let go of the battle stories. Let go of the hatred." This hatred has turned our lives into a prison. It has been the rope that held us back. We have suffered enough from the past. We are called today into the joy of the Lord. This aspect of the cross is the sacrifice of our well reasoned grudges. The result of the sacrifice is to live in the freedom of the daughters and sons of the Lord ■
[1] Sunday 11th September, 2011, 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Readings: Ecclesiasticus 27:30 – 28:7. The Lord is kind and merciful; slow to anger and rich in compassion—Ps 102(103):1-4, 9-12. Romans 14:7-9. Matthew 18:21-35.
[2] Archbishop of Constantinople was an important Early Church Father. He is known for his eloquence in preaching and public speaking, his denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders, the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, and his ascetic sensibilities. After his death (or, according to some sources, during his life) he was given the Greek surname chrysostomos, meaning "golden mouthed", rendered in English as Chrysostom.
[3] Homily 27 on Genesis.
[4] Cfr Mt 18:21-35.
[5] Cfr Rom 1:16.
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