Who do I need to ask forgiveness to

Homily for 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Ez. 33:7-9, Ps 95, Rom. 13:8-10, Mat. 18:15-20

Who do I need to ask forgiveness to

This weekend's readings are all about saying the hard things. How to correct others? How to seek agreement with others? How to correct sinners? How to get through the hardened hearts of this world. What if we ourselves need correction, are sinners, have hardened hearts, and are disagreeable?

What if the cries for help from the poor and marginalized to us fall on deaf ears? What if those seeking God around us are ignored by us? 

What’s the single greatest deterrent of living mercy or evangelization? Our selfish instinct of nearly always asking first, “What’s in it for me?” Honestly, what is the case for assisting the poor and marginalized or investing time in evangelizing others? What is the material and tangible benefit? There is none in this life. In fact it will cost us in this life.

Someday when we reach that moment and Jesus looks at how we loved others in this life, He will decide our place in the next life. Of what will be found guilty when the law of love prevails? Will we be found guilty of loving others unconditionally? If not, then who do we think we are complaining to God about others?

Sincerely, if you hear His voice, harden not your heart. Where I’m struggling with this part of being a child of God, may we today invite God to assist us where correction is warranted. Our addiction to self is our greatest weakness manipulated by the powers of this life. It isn’t a habit as much as a choice. Do we like the choices we are making? Will we regret our choices? There is still time to correct our path.

May this be a most profitable conversation within our souls before the God of Mercy.