03.13.16: Our own worst enemy

Bulletin column for St. Mary's Parish in Griffith, Ind.

When I was a junior in high school, my English teacher had each of us write about our "disability." We then had to share this with the whole class. Surely most of my classmates were expecting that I'd talk about my being born blind in my left eye. Yet, I've never thought of that as setting me back in any way. Instead, I focused on my sharp tongue and quick wit. You see, the ability to cut people with my words is much more disabling than always having to turn my head toward the left due to a lack of sight. My words cause so much more harm. Friends, we all make judgements, we all think and say things that we shouldn't think or say. Our words, our judgements hurt people. They wound the church, the people of God, the body of Christ. We see this in our Gospel today. Everyone was chastising the adulterous woman, completely ignoring their own flaws and faults and instead, ready to stone her. This lent, we're called to change our hearts and minds in this beautiful transformation that prepares us for new life at Easter. Are we ready to start anew? Are we ready to forget the rock pile next to us and embrace those who have offended us or those we have offended? Now is the acceptable time. Now is the day of salvation.

Peace to this household,

Jeff