Newton Basumatari csc –
Readings: Hos 8: 4-7, 11-13; Mt 9: 32-38
In today’s Gospel we see Jesus deeply felt the needs ofthe people for mercy and forgiveness.
Knowing the desires of their hearts, Jesus looked at his disciples and said: “The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few. Ask the harvest master to send out laborers for his harvest.”
Today, Jesus repeats the same commands looking at us his disciples. Jesus saw his mission as one of salvation, not of condemnation. He believed that acts of mercy, forgiveness, compassion are the expressions of God and had the power to transform a person from inside.
Forgiving sin is indeed letting people off the hook, because mercy and compassion will achieve what punishment never could. We the disciples of Jesus need to become bearers of mercy, compassion, and forgiveness.
In our life we experience pain and suffering caused by others. In such situations I am faced with a choice of enduring the suffering in forgiveness or hating those who hurt me.
I can hate them for a lifetime, but as a disciple of Jesus I can forgive them and continue to love and care for them. By this very act I become an authentic witness to Christ.