Tuesday of the Third Lent in Lent
(Daniel 3:25.34-43; Matthew 18:21-35)
When former president Gerald Ford died in 2007, commentators remembered him with surprising admiration. They recognized his pardoning his predecessor Richard Nixon for criminal activity in the Watergate affair as his greatest achievement. Even Ted Kennedy admitted that although he had disagreed with the decision at first, the pardon did a distinctive service to the country. It helped heal a nation badly divided over ideology and shocked over wrongdoing at the highest levels.
Would that public figures be more willing to practice today what they admire in past heroes! Instead we usually hear them demand resignation, impeachment, or apology from those who violate their principles. In the gospel Jesus tells his disciples that it should not be that way with us. We must be ready to forgive when people repent of their misdeeds. Rather than clamor for retribution, we should pray that our offenders take note of their wrongdoing, ask forgiveness, and make proper amends.
Mercy becomes us. Shakespeare writes that an “earthly power doth then show likest God's,
when mercy seasons justice.” It even makes us better appreciated in our society as in the case of President Ford. In forgiving, of course, we must not abandon the norms of justice. Compensation to the wronged is usually due, and the offender should be resolved not to offend again. But practiced rightly, mercy like “the gentle rain from heaven” – as Shakespeare put it -- benefits everyone.
A HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY TO ALL!
Showing posts with label Gerald Ford. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gerald Ford. Show all posts
Homilette for February 26, 2008
Tuesday of the Third Lent of Lent
(Mt 18:21-35)
A year ago in January former President Gerald Ford died. Commentators in the newspapers and on television remembered him with admiration. They said that his singular greatest achievement was to pardon ex-President Nixon for criminal activity in the Watergate cover-up. Even Ted Kennedy admitted that, although he disagreed with the decision at the time, he has come to regard it as a distinctive service to the country. The pardon helped heal a nation badly divided over ideology and shocked over wrongdoing at the highest levels.
Would that politicians be more willing to practice today what they admire in past heroes! Instead we usually hear them demand the resignation, the impeachment, or an apology from those who violate their principles. In the gospel Jesus tells his disciples that it should not be that way with us. We must be ready to forgive when people repent of their misdeeds. Rather than clamor for retribution, we must pray that our offenders take note of their wrongdoing, ask forgiveness, and make proper amends.
Mercy becomes us. Shakespeare writes that an “earthly power doth then show likest God's,
when mercy seasons justice.” It even makes us better appreciated in our society as in the case of President Ford. In forgiving, of course, we must not abandon the norms of justice. Compensation to the wronged is usually due, and the offender must be resolved not to offend again. But practiced rightly, mercy like “the gentle rain from heaven” – as Shakespeare put it -- benefits everyone.
(Mt 18:21-35)
A year ago in January former President Gerald Ford died. Commentators in the newspapers and on television remembered him with admiration. They said that his singular greatest achievement was to pardon ex-President Nixon for criminal activity in the Watergate cover-up. Even Ted Kennedy admitted that, although he disagreed with the decision at the time, he has come to regard it as a distinctive service to the country. The pardon helped heal a nation badly divided over ideology and shocked over wrongdoing at the highest levels.
Would that politicians be more willing to practice today what they admire in past heroes! Instead we usually hear them demand the resignation, the impeachment, or an apology from those who violate their principles. In the gospel Jesus tells his disciples that it should not be that way with us. We must be ready to forgive when people repent of their misdeeds. Rather than clamor for retribution, we must pray that our offenders take note of their wrongdoing, ask forgiveness, and make proper amends.
Mercy becomes us. Shakespeare writes that an “earthly power doth then show likest God's,
when mercy seasons justice.” It even makes us better appreciated in our society as in the case of President Ford. In forgiving, of course, we must not abandon the norms of justice. Compensation to the wronged is usually due, and the offender must be resolved not to offend again. But practiced rightly, mercy like “the gentle rain from heaven” – as Shakespeare put it -- benefits everyone.
Homilette for Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Tuesday, III Lent
(Mt 18)
President Gerald Ford died in January. Commentators in the newspapers and on television remembered him with admiration. They said that his singular greatest achievement was to pardon ex-President Nixon for criminal activity in the Watergate cover-up. Even Ted Kennedy admitted that although he disagreed with the decision at the time, he has come to regard it as a distinctive service to the country. The pardon helped heal a nation badly divided over ideology and shocked over wrongdoing at the highest levels.
Would that politicians be more willing to practice what they admire in others! Instead we usually hear from them calls for resignation, impeachment and apology. In the gospel today Jesus tells his disciples that it should not be that way with us. We must be ready to forgive when people repent of their misdeeds. Rather than clamor for retribution, we must pray that our offenders take note of their wrongdoing and make proper amends.
Mercy becomes us. It makes us like God whom has been revealed as replete with merciful love. It even makes us better appreciated in our society as in the case of President Ford. In forgiving, of course, we must not abandon the norms of justice. Compensation to the wronged is usually due, and the offender must be resolved not to offend again. But practiced rightly, mercy makes everyone better.
(Mt 18)
President Gerald Ford died in January. Commentators in the newspapers and on television remembered him with admiration. They said that his singular greatest achievement was to pardon ex-President Nixon for criminal activity in the Watergate cover-up. Even Ted Kennedy admitted that although he disagreed with the decision at the time, he has come to regard it as a distinctive service to the country. The pardon helped heal a nation badly divided over ideology and shocked over wrongdoing at the highest levels.
Would that politicians be more willing to practice what they admire in others! Instead we usually hear from them calls for resignation, impeachment and apology. In the gospel today Jesus tells his disciples that it should not be that way with us. We must be ready to forgive when people repent of their misdeeds. Rather than clamor for retribution, we must pray that our offenders take note of their wrongdoing and make proper amends.
Mercy becomes us. It makes us like God whom has been revealed as replete with merciful love. It even makes us better appreciated in our society as in the case of President Ford. In forgiving, of course, we must not abandon the norms of justice. Compensation to the wronged is usually due, and the offender must be resolved not to offend again. But practiced rightly, mercy makes everyone better.
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