MEDITATION TIP —
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time,
September 17, 2023

“Forgive not seven but seven times seven” (Matthew 18:22).

　These are harsh words of Jesus. Moreover, the Book of Sirach warns, “Resentment and anger, these are hideous and abominable. Both of these follow the sinner.” The forgiveness of sins was the central theme of Jesus’ preaching of the gospel. Forgiveness is a perpetual theme for human beings. Why can’t we forgive one another? But the word “forgiveness” that people use to describe each other is a condescending word and gives the idea of refraining from revenge for a while. As long as we remain in this mindset, it will be difficult to approach the forgiveness that Jesus desires. After all, forgiveness is a word that belongs only to God, and reconciliation is a better word to use between one another.

　And the reason we cannot reconcile with each other is that we have not yet reconciled with ourselves. Reconciliation with oneself is being at peace with oneself, accepting and affirming oneself as one is, not as one would ideally like to be. In other words, it is a gentle kiss to one's faults and weaknesses. Conversely, those who are divided within themselves and not reconciled with themselves bring division to those around them.

　For example, internal divisions caused by one’s strong faith can have a negative impact on those around him or her. It is important to live religiously, but those who have an extremely high idealistic view of themselves will try to eliminate and separate the dark parts of themselves that do not conform to that ideal. They in turn project this onto others and find evil or some demonic force in others. By eliminating and separating the demons in his or her own mind, such a person finds demons everywhere in the world around him or her. Thus, division occurs around such a person.

　To be reconciled with others one must be reconciled with oneself, but this does not mean suppressing and eliminating one's feelings and desires. All feelings have meaning. To be angry at someone is a stimulus to change something, to see something differently. When we express that anger appropriately, we begin to see what anger means. Often anger is not about what others think or feel, but about avoiding the heart of the matter. You can then do some reflection on what yourself were then thinking. When we accept our own weaknesses with sincerity, we will be able to accept the weaknesses of others with sincerity, and we will be able to accept these people and reconcile with them.

　For those of us who are wounded and troubled by such issues of hostility, resentment, and anger, the following words of the American author Mark Twain ring true: “There is no time in this short life for quarreling, apologizing, hurting, and blaming others. There is only time to love, even if it is only for a moment.”

 　　　　　(Contributed by Father Akabae)