Revenge seems satisfying. Kindness, forgiveness, and mercy are better. Tom Elitz, SJ, reflects on our call to forgive and to love like God. Based on the readings for Sunday, September 17, 2023.
Maybe we shouldn’t admit this, but isn’t there something so satisfying about getting revenge?
Hi, my name is Tom Elitz, and this is my One-Minute reflection
We Christians are called to be sons and daughters of God. And as God’s children, we should resemble our heavenly Father. Today’s psalm reminds us that the Lord is kind and merciful, and doesn’t deal with us according to our sins.
But so often, we wish to “deal with” others according to their sins. We wish to exact revenge when someone harms or offends us.
But Jesus exhorts us today – be imitators of God, who pardons all iniquities.. And while getting revenge may seem satisfying, giving up this satisfaction is part of our Christian discipleship. Having mercy will always unite us more closely to Jesus, and make us more faithful sons and daughters of our heavenly Father.
