OUR SUNDAY’S IN JUNE 2010

Almost everything around us challenges our understanding of God’s mercy. We so easily set up standards for others that are designed to make them failures. We destroy our heroes. We prefer to condemn them for their sins rather than admire their achievements. We don’t give others new chances in life. We judge and either don’t give others a chance to change or don’t allow ourselves to see that we were wrong.

How do we deal or react to people like Tiger Woods or John Edwards about whom there was so much gossip? From both of them we wanted contrition, tears, chest beating and apologies. Not only that, the apologies must meet some unknown standards of believability. At times there is no forgiveness.

We all know the story about the woman who washed Jesus’ feet. It is notable that Luke left out particular information about that woman. Her background is suggestive – she was unescorted – she was touching a man in public – she had let her hair down in public – because no “proper” woman of Jesus’ day did these things, they suggest sinfulness in the area of sexuality. But, we must remember, we don’t know the sin – Luke intentionally avoided telling us – allowing us to fall into our own judgmentalism.

Yet Jesus offered forgiveness without even being asked. How do we deal with this kind of forgiveness? When this woman found Jesus, she didn’t have to ask for forgiveness – Simon and his friends were not pleased. They wanted to see groveling and they didn’t get it. Instead, they got a lesson on how to love and how to show respect for human dignity. We are the ones who don’t listen to each other. We are bound and determined to get our way.

We also celebrate and recognize our fathers this month. Fathers have to teach their children that we do not always get our way in life. And, when it comes to God, we should not even want our own way. We should want His way. Remember, God forgives before we ask – and even when we don’t ask. We must strive to get to know God so that when we grieve our sinfulness, He will become a fountain for us to wash away our sin and uncleanness.

The Most Rev. John P. Walzer, D.D. Archbishop