SIRACH 27:30

Sirach may have hated wrath and anger but wrath and anger are hate-filled emotions. Mostly they are full of self-hate from a profound frustration with being unable to control one’s world. Maybe it’s an inability to hold a job or to live up to someone else’s standards or maybe an inability to relate to others. But fundamentally it’s about control, and yielding control to God is the only way out.

Anger generates a lot of needs for forgiveness, which is the topic of the Gospel. Anger demeans both the giver and the receiver. But forgiving someone who has lashed out at you does not mean you need to stay in the relationship. It does mean you need to demand the relationship change or leave it. Forgiveness does not mean setting yourself up to be the object of hate.

Father Maurice has announced that if attendance at the 11:00 mass reaches 50, he will restart the 8:30 mass. Currently attendance is a bit over 30. Masks are worn, social distancing is in force, there is no communal singing (sob!) and there is lots of ventilation. Use Sign Up! from the website or your phone to reserve a spot, though currently there is plenty of room for walk-ups. Y’all come!