Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: September 17, 2023

Date in the Ordine: 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text: Sirach 27:30—28:7

Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight.

The vengeful will suffer the LORD's vengeance, for he remembers their sins in detail.

Forgive your neighbor's injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.

Could anyone nourish anger against another and expect healing from the LORD?

Could anyone refuse mercy to another like himself, can he seek pardon for his own sins?

If one who is but flesh cherishes wrath, who will forgive his sins?

Remember your last days, set enmity aside; remember death and decay, and cease from sin!

Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor; remember the Most High's covenant, and overlook faults.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The first reading from the Book of Sirach reminds us of the need to be people of loving mercy, people of the covenant. We are called to remember the covenant with the LORD which calls us to right relationship with our LORD and with one another. In the end, we will be judged on how we did love.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I treat others as I myself wish to be treated? Do I look upon others loving as I pray the LORD looks upon me?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Most Holy Spirit, we come before You this day, full of loving praise for all You are: Creator, Savior, Animator and Sanctifier. And we give thanks for all that is good in lives because of your love for us and its transformative effect on us all. We seek to do good, to be good, as You created us to be, call us to be. For those times that we fail, we seek your loving mercy for ourselves and that it will tenderize us so that we in turn are merciful to others as You are merciful to us. Be with us LORD.