My beloved brothers and sisters, Praise to you Lord Jesus! As we begin another school year, I give thanks to God for the blessings He continues to pour upon our parishes and school community. We rejoice in the growth of our educational ministry. This year, we have added Grade 10 to the newly extended St. Carlo Acutis Legacy Academy (SCALA) at the Okanagan College campus. We now have 210 students at Holy Cross School and 40 students at SCALA. I am deeply grateful for your prayers and support. May our schools continue to grow not only in numbers, but in love, faith, holiness, and service.
The Scripture readings this Sunday remind us of one of the most challenging demands of Christian discipleship: forgive as we have been forgiven. Sirach warns us about holding on to anger and resentment: “Does anyone harbour anger against another, and expect healing from the LORD?” We cannot continually ask God for mercy while refusing to show mercy to others. Resentment rarely hurts the person who wounded us as much as it hurts our own hearts. In the Gospel, Peter asks Jesus how often he must forgive someone who sins against him. Peter suggests seven times, but Jesus answers, “Not seven times, but I tell you, seventy-seven times.” Jesus teaches that forgiveness is not about keeping count. We forgive because we ourselves have received God’s immeasurable mercy.
The parable of the unforgiving servant makes this clear. A servant whose enormous debt is forgiven refuses to forgive a much smaller debt owed to him. He received mercy but failed to let that mercy transform his heart. We can fall into the same trap. We receive God’s forgiveness in prayer and in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, yet we can still hold tightly to hurts and resentments. The question is: Will the mercy we receive from Christ become the mercy we offer to others? St. Paul reminds us, “We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves.” We belong to the Lord, and our words, actions, forgiveness, and charity affect those around us. As we begin this new school year, may our families, parishes, and schools teach our young people by example that true greatness is found not in holding grudges or seeking revenge, but in forgiving, serving, and loving others. Let us ask the Lord for the grace to release our resentments and remember that we ourselves constantly need His mercy.
Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. May our communities be places where Christ’s mercy is not merely preached, but truly lived. Lord Jesus, forgive us as we forgive others. Heal our hearts, free us from resentment, and make us instruments of Your mercy, love, and peace. Amen.
God Loves You!
~ Fr. Neil