This morning I had to return to school to see parents, giving them report cards. Therefore, I went to the anticipatory Mass last evening. Fr. John Baptist Kwan celebrated the mass.
In anticipation of the coming Lent season, Fr. Kwan focused on conversion. Many people cannot forgive and are bogged down by painful experiences in the past. They might not have the ability to revenge the wounds sustained. Neither have they the ability to forget those traumas. Instead of dressing the wound, people tear them open repeatedly to relish the pains. I think the defeated king of Yue 越王勾踐had set a very bad example for all Chinese. But God had set us a good example to follow.
Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:18-19a)
What new thing does God want to do?
But you have burdened me with your sins, you have wearied me with your iniquities.
I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins (Isaiah 43:24b-25).
So, this is what God will do in the New Covenant. God will blot out our sins. He will not remember our sins.
What good does it bring to God to blot out our sins? Why did God say "... for my own sake ..."?
For men as well as for God, two options are open once they are offended: either destroy/punish the offenders or forgive them.
It is only natural and fair to exact an eye for an eye (Exodus 21:23-24) and blood for blood (Genesis 9:6). This is the morality enshrined in the Torah. However, the Israelites had not improved. Punishments could only make them more stiff-necked.
However, as shown in the Prophets, God's morality has evolved to a new level. God does not want to be burdened and worn down with our sins. Therefore God chose to forgive (Isaiah 43:25, 44:22; Jeremiah 33:8; Ezekiel 37:23). This option is better than the first one because the offenders are given a chance to improve and to evolve, making the offenders responsible for what they have done and holding them responsible for their own recovery.
Apply the same logic to interpersonal relationship, we should forgive ourselves as well as those who have offended us. Give ourselves as well as others a chance to change and to become better.
But how is our fragile psyche capable of such a great feat as to forgive and to forget? St. Paul gave us the answer. Jesus had given us the Holy Spirit to help us.
he has put his seal upon us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee (2 Corinthians 1:22).
We should befriend and treasure our relationship with the Holy Spirit. It is the merits of the New Testament to enlighten us on the nature of the Holy Spirit and allow us to know Him better.
There are a number of lessons to be learned in the story of the healing of the paralyzed man. For example, a total healing involves the soul as well as the body etc. But Fr. Kwan urged us to focus on the charity and faith of the four friends who lowered the paralyzed man in front of Jesus to beg him for a cure. Nothing could stop them from helping their friend nor make them doubt the power of Jesus. Neither should we withdraw in face of obstacles.
Now that the man was cured, why did Jesus ask him to take up the pallet and go home?
I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home. (Mark 2:11)
Fr. Kwan asked jokingly whether Jesus wanted the paralyzed man to be environmentally friendly, or to make the pallet a souvenir, a reminder of his former life. No. the paralyzed man was carried by his friends on this pallet to come to Jesus. Now that he was cured, it was his turn to carry other sinners to come to Jesus. He should share his healing experience with the others. All of us should.
Dear Lord, I am sorry. I thought I had forgiven and forgotten. But I have not. This bitterness has a crippling effect on me. Have mercy on me. Help me put down my bitterness and frustration. Help me let go. Help me forgive. Amen.
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