Forgive Us Our Debts In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus' teaching is very clear. We are called to forgive our neighbour's debts - not just seven times, but seventy seven times!
Often, we think this passage is about how many times we are called to forgive others. Yet on reflection, we can see the challenge is actually much deeper than mere numbers. We are being challenged to realise how blessed we are and invited to use our privilege and power to support, not oppress, all around us. We are invited to be like the Lord, who is described in the Psalm as "slow to anger and rich in mercy". In Matthew’s account of the Gospel, we hear Jesus’ parable about a king forgiving a debt – that is, the King uses his power to set someone free from what was oppressing them. Then we hear how the now-free-from-debt servant fails to offer the same freedom to another. This enrages the King, who condemns the man. His condemnation is not about the money though. Instead, the King expects that the privilege granted to his servant would have transformed his heart, and he is shocked that it hasn’t. The servant had had the experience but missed the meaning – the opportunity to grow and live in kindness. Instead, he chose to remain greedy. We see here the devastating impact of debt as the man cannot pay and all that he has must be sold, including himself and his wife and children. There is no doubt that Climate Change is throwing people into debt. In Africa, for example, developing nations are being forced to take out loans to repair infrastructure, roads, schools, hospitals and homes in the wake of natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods. Each fresh disaster increases the debt of the country. On an individual level, families are struck by climate change related disaster such as floods or drought that makes them lose their harvest for the year. The only way to buy seed and other necessities is to take out loans. Survival becomes more and more difficult as you are servicing the loan and when another disaster strikes -the family is thrust into abject poverty. The theme of this year's Season of Creation is Let Justice and Peace Flow. We are called to recognise the impact of climate change, loss of life and livelihoods and damage to infrastructure and economies and to pay into a loss and damage fund. Loss and damage is and will continue to harm vulnerable communities the most, making addressing the issue a matter of climate justice. In his annual message, Pope Francis tells us that we can contribute to the mighty river of justice and peace by resolving to transform our hearts, our lifestyles, and the public policies ruling our societies. This week’s gospel, and this season of creation, is an invitation to transform our hearts. Rather than remaining trapped in fear and greed, our hearts should remain grateful for how privileged we are in the Developed World, and open to using that privilege for the good of others. The first reading today asks: “Could anyone nourish anger against another and expect healing from the Lord?” We ask our leaders, our churches, our neighbours and ourselves – Could anyone know the love of God and not recognise and respect God present in every living thing?"
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Posts by date
May 2024
|