Half of Me?

A priest seated himself at a coffee shop counter next to a man who immediately noticed his clerical apparel. “Where is your Church?” the man asked. The priest pointed in the direction of his Church on the corner, and the man said, “Why that’s the Church I go to.”

“I’ve been pastor there for five years, and I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you,” said the priest. To which the man replied, “I didn’t say I was a fanatic!”

In today’s Gospel Lesson, Jesus is calling us to fanaticism in terms of our forgiveness. The Apostle Peter asks, “Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As many as seven times?” Jesus replies, “Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times!” (Mt. 18:21-22). Jesus’ emphasis could not be more persuasive. This is a lesson never-to-be-forgotten for the Kingdom of God is built on a foundation of mercy and forgiveness!

Of course, the quality of Christian mercy begins with…