Reflection for Sunday – September 13, 2026

Deirdre McKiernan HetzlerSunday Readings Homilies

Readings: Sirach 27:30-28:7; Romans 14:7-9; Mt 18:21-35 
Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler

“Wrath and anger are hateful things,” Sirach says. “Yet the sinner hugs them tight.” Yikes! That’s a very strong censure, isn’t it? This reflection on the deadly nature of anger is part of Sirach’s advice for living a moral life.

Yet, if we’re honest, isn’t it sometimes a temptation to hold onto our negative emotions? In the face of injustices in the world? And those in our own country? Or perhaps because of a serious personal wrong?

I remember being there. Stuck in my anger.  Many years ago, someone close to my family lashed out—again—at my children. I was livid!  I literally screamed at God: “Just  once! Just once I’d like to hurt this person as much as s/he hurt my kids!” Suddenly, my anger melted away. And something deep inside me seemed to say, “Where do you think s/he learned it?”

Undertanding didn’t make it right, of course. But it gave me an opportunity to reflect. To find a better way to handle the situation than lashing out. Or demonizing.

Our second reading is an insight into St. Paul’s approach to problems in his (and our) communities. When faced with disputes, he usually tried to bring folks back to the basics. Reminding the community—and us—who and whose we are. After all, we are baptized into Christ. Making us a new creation. We belong to Jesus Christ! And so, to one another. “None of us lives for oneself. If we live, we live for the Lord.”

The God that Jesus—and Scripture—reveal to us is a God of unlimited love and forgiveness. A God, who, in creating everything, has made us one. One with all creation. Francis of Assisi understood this so well, didn’t he? We are all part of one another. What we do to one affects us all.

And so, Mathew’s Jesus teaches that, in a community bearing Jesus’ name, there is to be no limit to forgiveness. Through Jesus’ reconciling ministry, a community that embodies mutual service and radical equality has been born. Everyone bears an unlimited responsibility for reconciliation. Rooted in God’s compassion. And magnificently revealed in Jesus’ suffering and dying for the sins of others.

What does all this say to us, in our polarized society? That’s a veryhard question, isn’t it? I do not believe, however, that it means accepting injustice or attacks of any kind. Rather, the question is how to respond as members of Christ’s body. With the graces God pours out on us. What if we tried to remember that each person with whom we have an issue is a beloved child of God? That won’t be easy. And we may often fall short. It’s a journey. One that begins with one small step at a time.

Marietta Jaeger Lane comes to my mind. She was a guest speaker at Fisher’s campus ministry years ago. Her 7-year-old daughter, Susie, was abducted and killed during a family camping trip. As the search for Susie went on, Marietta was consumed by rage. She was sure that, given the chance, she would kill the kidnapper with her own hands. Ultimately, she realized that, “Were I to give in to that kind of mindset, it would be my undoing.” So, she made a prayerful commitment to forgive.

One year later, the kidnapper phoned her. She spoke to him with compassion, patience and forgiveness. Tracing the call allowed police to track and arrest him. Marietta opposed the death penalty, saying it would dishonor her daughter, and has continued to campaigns against the death penalty nationally.

Such is the power of grace when we are open to receive it.

Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler
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