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In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute. Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more: https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/
In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute. Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more: https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/
Thursday 19th
Week of OT
Bon Secours Retreat
August 14, 2014
HOW MANY TIMES? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
There’s a debate about the translation of Jesus’
reply to Peter in today’s Gospel
Ø
Did he say we should forgive 77 times or 7 times
70, which would be 490 times?
Ø
The question itself illustrates Peter’s problem
Ø
Moral theologians of Jesus’ day calculated the
demand to forgive according to one’s relationship with the offender
Ø
Closer the relationship, more often 1 had to
forgive
Ø
Indeed a pretty important measure since people
closest 2 us have ability 2 hurt us most & they’re the ones who know us w/o
R masks, warts & all!
TABLES TURNED +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
Poor Peter should have known better than to give
Jesus such an opening
Ø
Jesus’ story overturns Peter’s perspective
Ø
As Peter probably did, we hear the story and say
“Hooray for the good guys!
Ø
But very quickly we’re hit with the suspicion, “Since when do parables make us feel good?”
Ø
Then comes embarrassing realization: “Hey, wait a minute! Am I the bad guy he’s
talking about here?”
NOT OFF THE HOOK ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
Happily, we know Jesus’ stories well enough to
now that God would no more hand us over to torturers than we could borrow a
gazillion dollars
Ø
But that doesn’t get us off the hook
Ø
Forgiveness not 2 do w/ tit-for-tat bookkeeping
Ø
Speaking of the need to pardon, St. John
Chrysostom says, “Let us not then thrust
the sword into ourselves by being vengeful.”
Ø
His point is that forgiveness saves absolutely
everyone concerned
o
It transforms relationships
o
We forgive 4 R sake as well as for sake of
others
o
We forgive to create the kind of world we want
to live in
CONCLUSION
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
Peter asks how many times he has to forgive his
brother or sister & answer is innumerable times
Ø
And should you balk the question is, “And haven’t you realized that you’ve been
forgiven more?”
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
