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● Homily file for Sept 10, 2023 ● 23rd Sunday ● Ezekiel 33:7-9 ● Psalm 95 ● Romans 13:8-10 ● Matthew 18:15-20 ● Title: Never Forget ●
[_01__] As the anniversary of September 11, 2001, approaches, one way to be really prayerful and thoughtful – and not just “trendy” – is to make the sign of the cross and remember where we were when we heard the news of the devastating terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. I was in an on-campus seminary classroom at Seton Hall U and like many others, I remember the chaos, disruption, and heartbreak that followed.
The aftermath of 9/11 reminded us of
our responsibility to one another. The Good News of Jesus Christ emphasizes
God's love for us, offering us salvation. However, this salvation comes with a
call to responsibility.
[_02__] The
parable of the Good Samaritan illustrates this beautifully - we're called to
accept both the liability (the potential difficulty) and the locality (the
place or person in need) in our efforts to love our neighbor.
[_03__] A New York City 9/11 story of a family friend of mine also
illustrated this both in his understanding of “liability” and “locality”. On 9/11, he worked
Con
Edison (like PSEG, the electric / power
/ natural gas company). He rushed to the World Trade Center to turn off the
power, a critical move to prevent further damage. While his actions in at Ground Zero saved
lives, he himself did not survive.
His actions exemplify how, in times of
crisis, we are called to be physically present in the locality of the
problem. Some things cannot be handled
by remote control or by an iPhone app. Situations may presence and personal
intervention. This is the essence of
" 9 .11 Never Forget."
Our world is undoubtedly broken, and while we
may not always face widespread disasters, we are perpetually surrounded by
brokenness. We are called to be Good Samaritans, embracing both the liability
and locality of loving our neighbors. We are called to remember the persistent
brokenness that exists around us.
[_04__] Jesus’
disciples also knew the world was divided by sinfulness. In next Sunday’s
Gospel, Peter wants to quantify andplan accordingly.
Peter,
the apostle, asks, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how many times
must I forgive, as many as seven times?" In other words, what is the “liability”for me?
Peter's question reminds us not to forget the
reality of sin and brokenness in ourselves and others.
It also reminds us that God will help us with
the “liability”. The act of going to confession allows us to
place our faults/sins explicitly before God, unburdening ourselves from
carrying them around. God is the ultimate source of forgiveness. God is in
charge. Never forget.
[_05__] In
this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus provides us with guidance on how to respond to sin
and sinfulness. It's important to note that forgiveness doesn't always entail
rebuilding a relationship or friendship. Sometimes, due to circumstances,
reconciliation may not be possible.
Also, the goal of the Good News isn't
forgetfulness of sin but forgiveness of sin.
[_06__] I
once experienced a valuable lesson in forgiveness in one of my first jobs after
college. I was working for a computer software company with known software
issues, i.e. “bugs”. I knew this, our
customers knew this. And, I was becoming impatient and pessimistic about the
software product were selling
In one instance, I became indifferent to a customer’s
complaints.
Eventually,
my “indifference” got noticed and not in a good way. I was “called on this” by my
manager, a one-on-one conversation and correction. But I also realized that my
manager displayed respect for me, was not trying to embarrass me.. I learned
that being singled out is often a sign of respect and an opportunity to grow.
This lesson I hope to remember and pay forward. Never forget
[_07__] The
essence of our salvation lies in forgiveness, not forgetfulness. Our faults are
not erased but forgiven, offering us an opportunity to learn and grow. Escaping
from sinful situations invites us to love ourselves and others. St. Thomas Aquinas:
“Love
is a binding force, by which another is joined to me and cherished as myself”
(Summa 1 20.1 ad 3)
Christ loves us because He sees us as part of
Himself. Forgiveness, in essence, is an act of self-love, not allowing hatred
and resentment to fester within us.
[_08__] Choosing
to forgive doesn't mean we're being walked all over; it means we're walking
with Jesus, seeing goodness even in the sinner. Forgiveness is a path to
conversion whether you’re the victim or perpetrator.
Remembering past wrongs need not lead to our
downfall. Instead, choosing to forgive while remembering the hurt --- is ---how
we imitate God who is love. "Never Forget" reminds of our capacity
for love and resilience.
[_09__] In a
world filled with brokenness, our responsibility is clear: to be Good
Samaritans, to forgive, and to love ourselves and others. In this act, we honor
the memory of 9/11 and the countless acts of love and heroism that emerged from
that tragic day. As we reflect on September 11, let us remember not just the
pain but also the potential for love and forgiveness that lies within us.
"Never Forget" should serve as a call to action, a commitment to love
in the face of adversity, and a reminder that only is the world our common
home, but salvation in Christ unites not only to God but to each other. Never forget.
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