Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time [A]

Readings
Sirach 27:30--28:9
Romans 14:7-9
Matthew 18:21-35

Calendar
September 11: Anniversary of the terrorist events of 2001
September 15: Start of National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 16: International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer

Quotes
The struggle against destitution, though urgent and necessary, is not enough. It is a question, rather, of building a world where every man, no matter what his race, religion or nationality, can live a fully human life, freed from servitude imposed on him by other men or by natural forces over which he has not sufficient control; a world where freedom is not an empty word and where the poor man Lazarus can sit down at the same table with the rich man.
Pope Paul VI, Populorum Progressio, #47

We need to ensure that poor people at home and around the world do not bear disproportionate burdens in the sacrifices ahead. As we confront evil acts, which no cause can justify, this "war on terrorism" must not deflect us from sustained commitment to overcome poverty, conflict and injustice, particularly in the Middle East and the developing world, which can provide fertile ground in which hopelessness and terrorism thrive. Our faith calls us to seek not only a safer world, but a more just and peaceful world for all God's children.
Administrative Committee USCCB, September 10, 2002

In the spirit of the book of Leviticus (25:8-12), Christians will have to raise their voice on behalf of all the poor of the world proposing the Jubilee as an appropriate time to give thought, among other things, to reducing substantially, if not canceling outright, the international debt which seriously threatens the future of many nations.
Pope John Paul II

I come from a country, Zambia, where every woman, man, and child owes $750 in external debt [per capita income in Zambia is just over US$2502]. What servicing this debt means for Zambians [is] lack of education opportunities, inadequate health care facilities, poor housing, water and sanitation structures, insufficient productive investments for promoting jobs, etc. These are the serious wounds that Zambians experience because of debt and the demand for debt servicing. . . The debt problem is not simply an economic issue. It is fundamentally an ethical issue because it is radically a human problem, affecting the well-being of families, the survival of the poor, the bonds of community, and the security of the future.
Archbishop Medardo Mazombwe of Zambia

Thoughts for Your Consideration
As we reflect on the scriptures today, we recall the events of September 11, 2001 and the recent events in the US following Hurricane Katrina. God invites us to enter into the practice of forgiveness and reconciliation, God invites us to a care for one another that is real and all-inclusive.

The scriptures today center on the importance of forgiveness. The way of God is the way of forgiveness and reconciliation. It is the way of respect and solidarity.

Forgiveness and reconciliation benefit those who forgive as well as those to whom forgiveness is offered. Forgiveness makes us truly human and reflects our high dignity as brothers and sisters of the same God. In some way it makes us more like God.

In light of Catholic Social Teaching, we might want to apply today's gospel not only to our personal relationships and hurts, but also to what we might call "social forgiveness and reconciliation" between peoples and nations. We might reflect on the excessive indebtedness of many of the developing nations of the world or on the reconciliation that is needed between nations and ethic groups or on the events of terrorism that we experience in our world or on the disparity between rich and poor. Racism, prejudice, economic injustice, religious intolerance, violence between people, and the oppression that comes from excessive debt are all things that call for justice and healing. They call for a type of courage that is divine.

Sirach writes: "Forgive your neighbor's injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven." We might say that such mercy in our institutions and structures will be to our own benefit and peace. Not to forgive and reconcile will harm us as much or more than it will harm our neighbor. Our world certainly needs this type of reconciliation.

* * *
The recent hurricane in the south of the United States reminded us in a very dramatic way that we are all vulnerable. Anyone of us could suddenly be in great need. Anyone of us could lose our home or possessions. We all need one another and cannot deal with everything all by ourselves. As today's readings remind us mercy and support for one another is part of being a child of God.

There may be many other lessons to be learned as the tragic events following Hurricane Katrina unfold. Catholic Social Teaching believes that God speaks to us in the events of life if we are open to reflect and learn. As things unfold, we have to do "social analysis." We might ask ourselves questions like: Do we observe a difference between how the poor and the rich are affected by these events and recover from them? Why were some able to flee the storm and others were not able to do so? Is there something we are called to do beyond simply providing charity to those in immediate need? Why is it that some people seem to need more help than others? Is there anything for us to learn about how we relate to our environment and deal with our natural resources?

Questions for Reflection in your Faith Sharing Group
When have you experienced unexpected mercy or forgiveness or acceptance in your own life? How did you respond to receiving such a gift?

How do you need to bring reconciliation and forgiveness to the events of terror we have experienced?

How do you bring a new spirit of healing to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina?

Actions - Links
Jim Wallis, director of Sojourners, a Christian organization whose mission is to proclaim social justice, asks: "During hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters, those who have the least to lose are often those who lose the most. Why?" at http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=sojomail.display&issue=050831#3

The National Black Catholic Congress has formed a Social Justice Commission. For info go to http://www.nbccongress.org/black-catholic-news/catholic-social-teaching-01.asp

The International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer has been celebrated on September 16 each year since 1994. September 16 is the date on which the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed in 1987. For info, go to: http://www.uneptie.org/ozonaction/events/ozoneday/2005_main.htm

Prayer - Meditation

Prayer for Charity and a Preferential Option for the Poor

Poor Ones,
Please take the bread. It is yours.
The house with running water belongs to you.
A plot of land, a dignified job í¢â‚¬" all yours.

Forgive me for offering it.
Charity is not substitute for justice but your children are hungry now.

Spirit of Justice,
break open our hearts.
Break them wide open

Let anger pour through
í‚ í‚ í‚ í‚ í‚ like strong winds
í‚ í‚ í‚ í‚ í‚ cleaning us of complacency,

Let courage pour through
í‚ í‚ í‚ í‚ í‚ like spring storms
í‚ í‚ í‚ í‚ í‚ flooding out fear.

Let zeal pour through
í‚ í‚ í‚ í‚ í‚ like blazing summer sun,
í‚ í‚ í‚ í‚ í‚ filling us with passion.

Force of Justice, grant me
í‚ í‚ í‚ í‚ í‚ anger at what is,
í‚ í‚ í‚ í‚ í‚ courage to do what must be done,
í‚ í‚ í‚ í‚ í‚ passion to break down the walls of injustice

and build a land flowing
with milk and honey
for God's beloved,
God's special love,
God's Poor Ones.

Spirit of Justice
break open our hearts.

by Mary Lou Kownacki, OSB