Wrath and anger are hateful things;
the sinner holds on to them.
The vengeful will face the Lord’s vengeance
and He will closely reckon their sins…
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
ECCLESIASTICUS 27:33 to 28:9
Wrath and anger are hateful things;
the sinner holds on to them.
The vengeful will face the Lord’s vengeance
and He will closely reckon their sins.
Forgive your neighbor’s offense,
and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven.
Can a man cherish anger against another
and yet seek healing from the Lord?
He has no mercy on his fellow man,
and yet he asks for pardon for his own sins?
If he, who is but flesh, cherishes wrath,
who will make expiation for his sins?
Think of your end, and cease from enmity;
remember death and corruption, and be faithful to the commandments.
Remember the commandments,
and do not be angry with your neighbor;
remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook faults.
We are already familiar with this book, which we discussed on the 6th Sunday. Today’s passage develops precepts from Leviticus (19:17) and Exodus (23:4) regarding vengeance and forgiveness.
ROMANS 14:7-9
Brothers and sisters: none of us lives for oneself, and none of us dies for oneself.
If we live, we live for the Lord; if we die, we die for the Lord.
Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For this Christ died and came to life again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
A beautiful text, phrases especially known and used in funeral liturgies. To live and to die for the Lord.
José Enrique Galarreta, S.J.