September 11th 2011: Sunday Gospel Reflection

Matthew 18:21-35

“Wrath and anger are hateful things,

yet the sinner hugs them tight.”

Today Americans across the country celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001. Youth born after 1995 may have no personal experience about the tragedy beside annual memorials or anecdotal references through each of them are growing up in a “post 9/11” world. Terrorism, violence, and war continue to plaque our world and worldview adding fear to attending school, visiting large cities, and traveling. Moments as stark as 9/11 allow us to see clearly the existence of evil and serve as a reminder that we were not created for evil and that God did not create evil. We were created and blessed by God and in His image and likeness to be blessing to one another. Out of love, God gave each of us free will so that we could freely love Him and one another in return.

We will always be made in God’s image; nothing can change this. Yet in our human brokenness we sometimes freely choose things which shackle us (sin) and smudge our likeness to the God who loves us. We sometimes hug sin tight, be it anger, jealousy, pride, selfishness, etc. On this day of national remembrance we are called by God to let go of those dark things that harm us and to embrace the light!

Just as violence, anger, or a grudge can spread and infect others, so too, prayer, peace and virtue can flow from us to those we encounter and helps to increase our family resemblance to our loving Father. Our challenge is to live as Jesus asks: “blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God”. May we bring peace and blessing to another person’s life today.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

-How do I think God felt when He saw his children being harmed and killed?

-Do I believe that acting with peace and love can affect others’ lives?

-Who is someone I am not at peace with? What can I do to bring blessing to that person?

*For more reflections on 9/11 visit the US Bishop's Conference Site: The Catholic Church Remembers