Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
We love to take things to extremes. Extremes are thrilling. It could be something as simple as running as fast as you can or listening to music with the volume cranked up, which sends endorphins rushing through your veins. The excitement of extreme activity invigorates us, but it cannot be sustained. Eventually, we will either get used to the extreme, which diminishes the excitement, or our bodies and minds will be overwhelmed and shut down, such as loss of consciousness or even a heart attack. We have limits, and experienced thrill-seekers recognize that people generally cannot handle jumping to extremes without gradual steps.
In the Gospel today, Jesus points out that taking gradual steps in confronting sin is also important. Many of us, when wronged by another, immediately feel compelled to an extreme response such as cutting someone out of our life or even harming them in retaliation. This destructive behavior will eventually leave us friendless and alone because we make no room for forgiveness. Without forgiveness, we ourselves would be condemned many times over, but confronting bad behavior through gradual levels of intervention allows the offending party greater opportunity to see their faults and make amends.
Reflection by Fr. Victor Schinstock, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections