St John The Baptist (Peplin) recently issued the following announcement.

Paper Pulpit Scripture: 

Friday was September 11th, a date that will be remembered for generations yet to come. It was a day that brought pain not only those who lost their lives in the twin towers, but for all Americans. It is a date that Americans consider one of the most significant in the nation’s history. It is a date that is associated with other epic historic events such as the founding of the United States, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and the end of World War II. 9/11/01 was a date that challenged the grace of forgiveness that we Christians have been told by our Lord Jesus Christ to offer, even to those who don’t like us. Forgiveness is not an easy gift to give! Yet, it is a necessity, and God demands it. March 11 and July 15 are two days that I remember. I received a letter on both those days (from the same person(s). The first letter was 37 words long and it told me to quit twice and people hate me twice. The July 15th letter was 49 words long and used the word quit three times and that people hate me once. In my almost twenty five years as a priest I have never been told to quit or that people hate me, at least to my face. The letters were painful. Last week I quoted a phrase from our childhood  sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me. How untrue. 

The first reading from Sirach states “wrath and anger are hateful things.” Sirach continues “forgive your neighbors injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.” 

As a priest, or any person in a leadership position, folks will find fault and complain. I expect that. I know I won’t make everyone happy. I do try. What people say about me comes back to me most of the time. I find much is not true, or worse, that it tries to make me look bad or someone else look good. I cannot control what people say about me, but you can choose to do something. Do you speak up? Last week the Prophet Ezekiel said “”if you do not dissuade the wicked from their way, you too shall be responsible, but if you do, you shall save yourself.” In other words, we are on to correct our brothers/sisters  to speak up when we hear things that are not true.

 In today’s Gospel Jesus answered Peter’s question, “How often should I forgive?” with “Not seven times, but I tell you seventyseven times.” In talking about righting wrongs, St. Paul in his letter to the church in Rome, echoes Jesus when he says, “We will all stand before the judgment seat of God.” He adds a quote from Isaiah, the prophet, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God. So then, each of us will be accountable to God.” 

Our Lord tells us that we are to forgive each other. Peter suggests seven times thinking our Lord will commend him for being kind, generous and forgiving. On the surface we might not be aware that it was thought that forgiving once was good, twice was great so seven must be the ultimate. Our Lord says it is not the number of times we forgive, but rather that we forgive each other from the heart and that includes when you are asked for forgiveness or even when it’s not asked for. Is there someone you need to forgive or to ask forgiveness? 

Are you going to do it? 

Have a great and blessed week, 

Fr. Jim Trempe

Original source can be found here.