10th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
Genesis presents the story of Adam and Eve wasting away their intimate relationship with God by trying to become something other than what they were called to be. They can never go back home to the way it was. We still live with the consequences of their choice.
There are so many causes for being discouraged: broken relationships with one another, within our hearts, and with our earth. These are expressed through the slow destruction of our planet, the divisions within our human family, and the violence that plagues us through war, on our streets, and even in our homes. It seems that what we trusted and knew has been taken away.
Jesus, fully human, experiences the same. His family thinks he is crazy, and the religious leaders accuse him of being possessed. Jesus’ inner self, in total communion with the Father, enabled him to respond with hope, trusting in the power of forgiveness. Just as God had pursued Adam and Eve, Jesus assures us that God pursues us. Our personal sins and the communal sins of the Church and the human family can and will be forgiven.
Embracing forgiveness enables us to touch our true selves and understand who God calls us to be as individuals and as a community. What cause for rejoicing! But also a call for difficult choices and hard work. God has called us to love and become a community of brothers and sisters accepting everyone. God calls us to be stewards of our earth, protecting it. We are to become Christ for one another.
Renewed through the Eucharist, through our prayer and acts of kindness, our inner selves are strengthened to bring others hope, forgiveness, and joy.
Who waits for my forgiveness?
Let us pray:
You are a forgiving and merciful Lord, abounding in love to all who call upon you. May our gratitude for your forgiveness lead us to forgive others. And may our reaching out in love and care to others enable us to live in joy and peace. Amen.
