by Rev. Herbert Nichols

Today’s Liturgy brings to mind the passage on mercy from Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, especially where the bard declares that mercy is "twice blessed", blessing both the person who receives and the one who bestows.

After he was witnessed killing an Egyptian in a moment of rage, Moses fled Egypt out of fear and lived in the wilderness of the Sinai peninsula where he eventually married and raised a family. It was there that he experiences the presence of God on a mountain top in an awesome manifestation, a burning bush that does not consume, a voice that sets boundaries telling him to remove his shoes and come no nearer. Moses hides his face, feeling overwhelmed by this experience.

Although God does most of the speaking, Moses is not afraid to ask questions or seek clarification. For this God is revealing himself first and foremost as a god of relationship; a God who is a person. You can only have a relationship with a person, with a God who can be known. You can have a relationship only with someone whom you know.

This God is not a distant concept or an otherworldly being. Twice God affirms that this covenant relationship sums up the Divine identity--His I Am-ness in which our human being subsists This God is calling Moses to a new task. The people have done their job. They have called out to God for mercy. God is now doing God’s job, sending them someone who will lead them to mercy.

In the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, the bishops speak about the "enormous pain, anger and confusion" caused by priests who sexually abused minors while many bishops failed to protect these young victims allowing secrecy to inhibit the healing process. Healing begins when we recognize and name the pain, anger and confusion in our own minds

In today’s portion of St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians Paul appeals to the exodus story to remind all who have ears to hear not to make the same mistakes that the Israelites made on their desert journey. God was not pleased with them because in all their grumbling and complaining they were struck down like those who did not know hope. Paul asserts that this is not the way for Christians to act; but in all things, even suffering to rejoice in hope. Paul uses this example not simply as a rebuke but as an attempt to open people’s hearts to their life giving power source who is God.

The gospel continues in the same vein of teaching. Ancient Hebrew thought, as well as some contemporaries today feel that blessings or misfortunes are always the result of one’s actions. Pilate was certainly known for his cruelty especially to Israelites over whom he ruled like a type of "pharaoh."

Is it also possible that a tower could collapse from either shoddy construction or an earthquake? Jesus, rather than address these separate issues places them in the context of today’s teaching.

"Far from being greater sinners and therefore worthy of tragic consequences, they did not bear greater guilt than others like the people to whom Jesus is preaching and ourselves today. The same fate could befall any of us who fail to repent. "In fact if you do not repent, you will indeed perish."

Jesus then concludes with his own metaphor or parable of a fig tree, a tree that is prized not only for it delicious fruit but also the protective shade given from the scorching sun by its branches. But this tree had not done its job. Before another tragedy occurs cut it down. Why let it continue to exist as a waste.

But the gardener pleaded on behalf of his tree for one more chance. We are reminded in this parable both of the urgency of conversion and of the seemingly limitless patience of God to give us one more chance. Healing, Repentance, and Forgiveness is a complex issue. This is why the miracles of Jesus are so striking. Sometimes he responds to great faith with instantaneous healing; while other times that healing takes place over an extended period of time. Forgiveness and recovering from tragic pain seem to have distinctive personal rhythms.

Some people heal quickly and are soon ready to forgive. Others require more time to reflect and gather the energy needed to transcend the hurt.

Most of us know times when the call to repentance and forgiveness encounters deaf ears and hardened heart. When combating our darker impulses, it helps to have an arsenal of positive strategies. If our hearts are especially hardened and not bearing fruit like the fig tree, it might be wise to keep a prudent silence and reflection while patiently waiting and praying for a loving attitude to bud forth..

Prayer is a critical component in the process of healing and forgiveness. Through prayer our hearts open in relationship with God and tap the extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit who has the mysterious ability to bring good out of the worst of situations. Forgiveness has the power to cleanse our church and our selves of the poisons of shame, anger and vengeance.