These days there are so many “bent over” men and women; their spirits depleted by the lingering effects of COVID-19, the divisiveness of the political campaign in this and other countries, the civil unrest in scores of countries where people have taken to the streets to air their grievances.
In today’s gospel, a woman was bent over for eighteen years. All she could see was the ground beneath her. Jesus came upon her, touched her and from then on was able to walk through life upright and erect.
It is providential that we are also hearing the words of St. Paul today, words extolling us to be kind to one another, be compassionate and be forgiving … and then he adds be imitators. Imitate the actions of Jesus.
At this time, our eyes can speak for us even when our faces are masked. Our eyes can convey compassion, our bodily gestures can convey kindness.
St. Paul also urges us to be forgiving. We know what Jesus’ forgiveness of our sins through his death on the cross did for us. It set us free! Forgiveness will do the same for us! It will set us free!
When we see evidence of anger, hate, an eye-for-an-eye, it confirms what St. Paul said and what the Scriptures proclaim: a people in darkness. But the Scriptures goes on to say a people in darkness have seen a great light. Some people prefer to remain in darkness while others have chosen to become children of the light.
So often in life we meet people whose heads and bodies are bent over - not physically but by attitudes and ways of acting. Through compassion, kindness and forgiveness we must imitate the actions of Jesus in our encounter with others.
Prayer time alone or with our families will help us nurture those qualities which we have inherited as children of the light.
- Father Leo's inspirational homily was recorded live this morning during Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
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To view Rosary prayer and Mass streaming live, please visit our Facebook page at 11:30 am EDT, Monday – Friday. Please invite your loved ones to join us too! (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
