A few weeks ago, I gave a homily on “Four Calls of God.” There were The Call to Identity, The Call to Repentance, The Call to Forgiveness, and The Call to Mission. I offered a deeper reflection into The Call to Identity and The Call to Repentance. This week, let’s look at The Call to Forgiveness.
I’ll be taking ideas from Bishop Robert Barron. He is the bishop of the Diocese of Winona-
Rochester. He is also the founder of Word on Fire Catholic Communications. First, let’s look at anger. So, what is anger? What is it not? It is one of the “7 Deadly Sins.” So is anger ever justified?
St. Thomas Aquinas wrote that anger is a legitimate response to injustice. Anger is a passion to set things right. St. Pope John Paul II was angry at the barbarism of the Soviet Union and
Communism. Martin Luther King was angry at racial injustice. Gandhi was angry at repressive
British imperialism. This is why God is seen to be angry in the Bible. God’s anger is justified in the face of great injustice. This is not only justified. It is rational.
Contrast this with an anger that is an unbalanced, irrational, unquenchable quest for
vengeance. This is the anger within the context of the “7 deadly sins.” This brings us to forgiveness. People who want to forgive can still have righteous anger. Yet, they wish to simultaneously practice forgiveness. This kind of forgiveness is not a mushy emotion. Not willful ignorance of wrongs that have been perpetrated. It does not ignore evil. It remains angry about the injustice. But, it is righteous anger tethered to love. It is willing for the good of the other. The righteous angry person does not want to destroy the offending party. They want to bring them into the right relationship. The righteously angry person does not want to destroy the other. They want to redeem them.
In Psalm 45, we read, “A scepter of justice is the scepter of your kingdom.” This is not about
individuals. It’s about the community. It’s “kingdom language.” It is the willingness to actively
draw the one who hurt you back into right relationship. It is bringing them back into the
community. They say, “YOU are better than this.” I will choose to not cling to my resentment.
We will decide to move through this to a better place.” It is the decision to concretely move in the direction of ”Forgive us our trespasses – as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Jesus tells Peter, “How many should you forgive? 70 times 7 times” Keep at it. Talk to them, Walk with them. Do the hard work. Have difficult conversations. Work towards a solution.
It also required supernatural grace. This is impossible on a human level alone. The Holy Spirit is necessary. In 1 Thessalonians 2:13, we read, “We thank God constantly that in receiving his
message from us you took it, not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the Word of God at work within you who believe.” We have to use the spiritual tools of heaven to do this well.
This is something that has struck me in my conversations with St. Raymond parishioners on the topic of racism. They are angry. But in many ways, you can hear them calling out others – in effect saying, “This kind of language, action, … is beneath your dignity. You are lowering your dignity. You have to be better than this. You have to do better than this” As a decent human being, as a child of God, you are called to be what you are. A true child of God is better than this."
Fr. Charles Zlock
This Weekend, we will Bless our Graduates at Mass
Calling all Parents, Grandparents & Guardians
Jesus is saying:
“Let the children come to me and do not prevent.
them, for theirs, is the Kingdom of God.”
Registration for St. Raymond’s Religious Education Program (PREP) for the 2023 - 2024 sessions will
begin soon. The program is open to all students who do not attend a Catholic School and are entering grades Kindergarten through 7 th. Children who have not received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism,
Reconciliation, Holy Eucharist, or Confirmation)
should attend these classes. Scripture tells us to “Train
up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old, they shall not depart from it.” The faith formation
that a child receives starts in the home and is the
greatest gift that a parent can give and our PREP
classes are designed to assist you in the process of
imparting the Catholic Faith in your child. PREP
sessions are free of charge and will begin on September 17, 2023. Stay tuned for the revised format and time of classes.
6/24 and 6/25 = Monthly Prayer Team after Mass
Thanks to all who contributed toward welcoming Fathers, Grandfathers, Archbishop Perez, and other guests to St Raymond!
https://www.facebook.com/100053735141857/posts/pfbid06ztyt7THogPjHdmkjoun3yNi8KXLbrKAKWpXrz1DgAXarvmuBakxidmQu2BDRrW3l/?mibextid=DcJ9fc
2023 Philadelphia March for Life
March for Life will be June 24, 2023.
Please plan to join others on a walk to save our unborn Children.
9:00am-Mass at the Cathedral
10:30am-March down Race Street
11:30am-Rally at Independence Mall
Congratulate Fr. Zlock
as he celebrates
the 29th anniversary
of his ordination.
Congratulate Deacon Bill
as he celebrates
the 10th anniversary
of his ordination.
Any graduates in your family? Special awards received? Email Brandi at Brandi@saintraymond.net We want to acknowledge all of our achievers!
Please extend congratulations to the following who shared their good news:
Trina Morris-Graduated from 1st Grade
Anala Paris Boyd-Graduated high school and will be attending Widener University on a full Scholarship.
Wes Matthews-Graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He will be attending Harvard Divinity School in the Fall.
Eli Matthews-Graduated from Devon Prep. He will be attending Case Western Reserve University in the Fall
Ma’Lan Rose-Graduated from the 5th Grade at Excelsior School of Philadelphia.
Gabrielle Daniels-Graduated from Cheltenham High School
Corrine Chapolini-Graduated from Waldron Mercy Academy. She received the Matt Brannau Award for Leadership. Also, an award for Character & Sportsmanship. She will attend Merion Mercy Academy in the Fall.
Alexis Therese Sharp-Received her MastersMaster of Education & Special Education from Cabrini University.
Emily Ruzicka- Received her Masters of Public Health at Temple University
Opportunities to Reflect, Renew & Restore
Cranaleith Spiritual Center, 13475 Proctor Rd, Phila. Pa 19116
Gaelic for “sanctuary of trees,” Cranaleith offers serene and rejuvenating space to those who wish to reflect on what matters deeply in their lives, renew their spirit for life and work, or restore themselves from life’s traumas. Individuals and groups are invited to participate in retreats and other programs offered in a spirit-rekindling environment of well-being, respect, and harmony. Cranaleith is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Mercy. For program, information log on to, www.cranaleith.org
CALLING ALL SINGERS!
As more people have returned to in-person mass, we’ve had lots of questions about joining the choir at St Raymond. If you’d like to become a part of this amazing ministry, please reach out to our Director of Music, Kenny Arrington, at Tua20523@temple.edu so that he can set up a time to meet and conduct a voice assessment to determine where your voice may fit. We’re looking for people who are moved to Praise God through song, are humble, patient, and able to commit to attending weekly practices and singing for our 10:00 mass.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Congress XIII (2023)
Announcing the Congress Theme
“Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive”
July 20-23, 2023
The Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD 20745
2023 Eucharistic Congress
Saturday, July 8 – Sunday, July 16
Event: Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Our Annual Parish Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel begins on Saturday, July 8th, at the 5 PM Vigil Mass. For nine consecutive evenings, we will honor Our Lady with devotion and prayer. Throughout the Novena, which will take place at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Doylestown, speakers will lead us in prayer, psalms, meditations, devotions, and preaching.
Location: Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Doylestown.
Our Parish Website:www.ourladymtcarmel.org
Monday Evenings, 8 PM
Event: Virtual World Mission Rosary
Join hundreds of people throughout the Archdiocese who have regularly been praying the ROSARY LIVE! United in this most powerful prayer, we ask for the miraculous intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary to hear our intentions and renew our Catholic faith as we pray in unity for our brothers and sisters in mission lands worldwide. On Mission Mondays, we pray the World Mission Rosary, created by Venerable Fulton Sheen, in which we offer each decade for one of five Mission areas, including the US.
Location: Use this Zoom link to join each Monday: https://zoom.us/s/494480541
More Info: Sponsored by the Pontifical Missions Societies (phillymissions.org)
Called & Gifted - Charism Discernment
"Be who you were created to be, and you will set the world on fire," - St Catherine of Siena
Attention Ladies
Catholic Women’s Conference
Sat. Oct. 28, 2023
Registration Information Packets are located on the desk at the rear of the church. Please
complete the pink form and return it to the basket provided to ensure that you are registered for the session of your choice. Please note you may only select one session.
Sign up early- the event fills up quickly!
Please log in to find out what is going on around the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
https://www.phillyevang.org/
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