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b'(Sir.27:30-28:9;\\xa0\\xa0 Ps.103:1-4,8-12;\\xa0\\xa0 Rom.14:7-9;\\xa0\\xa0 Mt.18:21-35) \\xa0 \\u201cShould you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?\\u201d \\xa0 How like the Lord\\u2019s own wisdom is that of Sirach; how like His teaching.\\xa0 For have we not heard the Master say, \\u201cForgive your neighbor\\u2019s injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven,\\u201d in His instruction to His disciples on how to pray?\\xa0 And does He not impart this same lesson by parable today? \\u201cWrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight.\\u201d\\xa0 Oh the woe of the unforgiving heart!\\xa0 \\u201cCould anyone nourish anger against another and expect healing from the Lord?\\u201d\\xa0 How can we \\u201crefuse mercy to another\\u201d and \\u201cseek pardon for [our] own sins\\u201d?\\xa0 Do we not know that anger is itself a deadly sin, mortally wounding our anxious souls?\\xa0 Do we who sit in judgment think in our hearts that we are without sin, that we are perfect as He who is Most High?\\xa0 If indeed \\u201cwe are the Lord\\u2019s\\u201d then we will act as the Lord and look with \\u201ckindness and compassion\\u201d upon others.\\xa0 Instead of condemnation we would practice divine forgiveness, for indeed mercy is the Father\\u2019s defining trait in His relationship with His children. But no, rather than putting \\u201cwrath\\u201d and \\u201cenmity\\u201d and \\u201chate\\u201d as far from our hearts as the Lord has \\u201cput our transgressions from us,\\u201d we cherish these abominations, setting them as trophies in our corrupted souls.\\xa0 Again, what woe there is for the unforgiving soul!\\xa0 For the same torture we would inflict upon others for their sins against us shall be the torture we ourselves shall face \\u2013 then we will know what justice is!\\xa0 Then we will know the wrath of God!\\xa0 Then He who alone has power and wisdom and love to judge rightly shall inflict His punishment on all His wicked servants. My brothers and sisters, fellow servants of the Lord in both life and in death, the Lord cannot emphasize enough to us the need for forgiveness.\\xa0 We must first and always recognize and remember the sinners we have been and the grace we have received at our Lord\\u2019s hands.\\xa0 And with this ever in mind and heart we must come to others with that same mercy.\\xa0 It is this He desires of us, and He will accept nothing less. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "It Takes One To Know One" from Cleansing Human Frailty, fourth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. \\xa0\\xa0******* O LORD, surpassing is your kindness toward us; help us to transcend our vengeful hearts and forgive as you have done. \\xa0 \\xa0 \\xa0YHWH, have mercy on our souls by helping us to show mercy toward others; even your own mercy let us share. Then how blessed we shall be to be like you, O compassionate God! Then your mercy shall pour forth like a refreshing stream and become an overflowing torrent. \\xa0 \\xa0 \\xa0But your kindness and compassion are far from us, LORD, so long as our sins remain near. So long as we cherish anger, we choke our souls and so cannot breathe in the light of your glory. If only we would turn and forgive, freely and without limit, then we would fully know the great blessing of your forgiveness, and find our sins put far from us. \\xa0 \\xa0 \\xa0Why should we wish to live or die except in you? Why would we separate ourselves from your loving presence? O let us rather die to the wrath we hold! Let us set all vengeance aside. Then we shall rise to where you are, LORD, to where your Son would lead us.'