Avoid Anger, Pursue Love

For John, BLUF:  Before Mass this afternoon I was talking to Gail Ann Desmond and she mentioned that she had run into Bill Johnson at Market Basket.  We both agreed that he was a definite add to the City Life Show and had interesting ideas and put them forward in a calm manner, without rancor.  I said it was like our Second Reading for the day.♠  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Second Reading

St Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 4:30 – 5:2

Here is the Reading:

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God: whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Let all bitterness, and anger, and indignation, and clamour, and blasphemy, be put away from you, with all malice.
And be ye kind one to another; merciful, forgiving one another, even as God hath forgiven you in Christ.
Be ye therefore followers of God, as most dear children;
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath delivered himself for us, an oblation and a sacrifice to God for an odour of sweetness.

Sure, it isn't always a piece of cake.  There are folks out there who work to get under our skin.  Responding in kind won't chnge them.  Saint Paul gives us the gouge.  Put away "bitterness, and anger, and indignation" and respond by "forgiving one another".  Not easy, but the best way.

Every morning signals a new day and a chance to put the anger of the previous day behind us and move forward with forgiveness and love.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  I review the Readinngs before Mass in case the Sexton, Richard Sweeney, comes by and tells me the Reader is missing and it is on me.  Better to be prepared.