In today's readings people encounter God's healing presence through reaching out and encountering a stranger. These meetings are the native home of the power of the Resurrection.
Living in the resurrection, we are encouraged not to fear and cling to our sins or our old way of life, or even our own conversion story, but we are challenged to hope that the power of the resurrection can lead us forth to a new and better life.
Jesus challenges us to forgive not 7 times, but 77 times. This does not mean that we need to have warm feelings towards them or to reconcile with them, but it is the first step of the process that opens then way to these possibilities. Can we hope that the person who hurt us might grow? Can we help bring this about through forgiveness?
A poor Jewish slave girl offered mercy to her captor Naaman the Syrian, telling him where he could be healed. Can we show mercy to those who need it most, even our enemies, or do we reserve mercy for our friends?
On this Ash Wednesday which coincides with Valentine's Day, we are challenged not just to privately confess our sins, but to publicly confess our love for one another and our trust in the mercy of God.
In his letter, James assures us that God tempts no one. Rather, our desires tempt us. But within each of us there is a deeper desire for what is good and holy. Let us reawaken that desire in ourselves, and help to rekindle it in others.
