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Today’s theme is obviously reconciliation, forgiveness of sin and eternal life with Christ and the value of fidelity. Likewise there is a message to forgive others, to give them a second chance that we may live in harmony, freedom and the peace of Jesus.
In today’s first reading Isaiah is speaking about the wonderful act of deliverance, when God opened up the sea, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry land. The most powerful army of that day couldn’t stop the people of God’s progress.
Once again God is preparing to do something entirely new for his people. Only this time, the miracle will be the reverse of the Exodus account. This time the dry land of the desert will be filled with rivers and springs, to water God’s people on their way. And once again we see this newness of Jesus in the Gospel of John, when he forgives the woman caught in adultery. This was unheard of in her day.
Did you notice that Jesus allows those standing by, (who by the way, are ready to stone this woman to death), to decide what judgment should be brought upon her? He does this by asking them to look within their hearts, to make their decision. And two thousand years later Jesus gives us that same free will to choose what is right and just.
Equally fascinating; there is absolutely nothing she did, to receive the forgiveness of Jesus. He gives her a second chance, He tells her to go and sin no more, are we willing to be like Jesus, willing to forgive without the need to equalize the suffering.
The culture in which we live teaches us to smother anything that remotely resembles a threat to our success and comfort. We rationalize our actions with the thought that we have a right to seek retribution for anything that bears discomfort to us. The problem with this thought is, there is never a final resolve. If we have the right to retribution, then others, must also have this very same right, and the cycle then becomes never-ending.
Everyone knows the scripture verse “An Eye for and Eye and a tooth for a tooth” Does anyone know the sentence that immediately follows this verse? - “But I (Jesus) say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.” In other words; offer no confrontation to one who is sinful (Mt. 5: 38-39) Jesus knows that if we are to exchange equal punishment; such as an eye for an eye, everyone will end-up blind. Mother Theresa probably said it best when she said it is not between you and them, it is between you and God.
This is precisely what Saint Paul is referring to when he says “I consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus. In Christ and with Christ, Paul learned what it was to live, truly, faithfully, and purposefully. In Christ and through Christ, Paul developed a system of values by which he lived. Because Christ became the supreme value in his life, all else, by comparison was rubbish. Can you imagine what this world would be like if everyone fulfilled this ambition. It may be something we want to think about, something to pray about.
Billions of dollars are spent on litigation that very well could have been avoided. Trillions have been spent on war to bring about peace and justice. And we continue the battle. The breeding grounds for injustice, that is both you and I, continue to flourish day in and day out. From the beginning of time we have sought after the control of others for the good of all. Look within, and without, decide for yourself where we rest today as a result of these actions. Some may say, that peace has limitations here on earth, and awaits our union with Christ in heaven. But Jesus says,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as in heaven.
This weeks Gospel calls us to be: Compassionate and Just – Generous and Merciful – Loving in a wasteland of indifferences – to forgive even when there is pain and suffering. To die to self – let go of controlling others- take hold of self-control – act as Jesus would – Out of love, Unconditional love. Suffer a fraction of what Jesus suffered for each and every one of us, do this in the name of Jesus, and there you will find that ultimate gift of God’s Peace.