Forgive and Live

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today chooses texts which remind us that our relationship with God is for our entire existence. The author of the Book of Joshua presents the entry of the Israelites into the Promised Land as an echo of the Exodus from Egypt. This compilation of the history of the relationship of God and Israel was completed prior to the Babylonian exile. The Gospel relates the need to be forgiving without reserve. Friar Jude Winkler relates our inability to surrender to the call to forgive. Maryanne Rouse reminds mature Christians that we need to incorporate understanding, compassion and forgiveness in all our relationships with others.