The longer form of today’s Gospel conveys some of Our Lord’s most powerful teachings. He speaks of the danger of anger, the need for reconciliation, the sins of adultery and swearing. Fr. Henri Nouwen offers a little advice about dealing with anger. Something to think about if you feel compelled to send off a wrathful email or letter. [Do people actually write letters these days?]

When you write a very angry letter to a friend who has hurt you deeply, don’t send it! Let the letter sit on your table for a few days and read it over a number of times. Then ask yourself: “Will this letter bring life to me and my friend? Will it bring healing; will it bring a blessing?” You don’t have to ignore the fact that you are deeply hurt. You don’t have to hide from your friend that you feel offended. But you can respond in a way that makes healing and forgiveness possible and opens the door for new life. Rewrite the letter if you think it does not bring life, and send it with a prayer for your friend.
 

Jodia, fòm pasaj evanjelik ki pi long nan, transmèt sèten anseyman ki pi pwisan de Senyè nou an. Li pale ak nou de danje ki genyen nan fè kòlè, bezwen nan rekonsilyasyon, bezwen nan fè adiltè ak sèmante. Yon Pè oswa yon Dyak ta dwe sèvi ak tèm sa yo lè yo ap preche. Trè souvan, mwen refere-m a Pè Henri Nouwen konsènan tèm sa yo; li toujou ofri konsèy sou fason nou dwe jere pwoblèm lavi-a, pi espesyalman : lakolè. Yon konsèy m-ap ba w, lè w santi w oblije voye yon lèt ki gen ladann anpil piman bouk oswa yon email.

Si w-ap ekri yon lèt sal pandan w an kolè a yon zanmi ki fè w fache anpil, pa voye-l touswit, kite-l sou tab lakay, tann kèk jou pase epi reli-l ankò plizyè fwa. Answit poze tèt w yon kesyon: "Eske lèt sa a ap pote kè kontan pou mwen ak zanmi-m nan? Eske li pral pote gerizon oswa benediksyon? W pakap inyore le fait ke w pwofondeman ofanse. Men w kapab reponn yon fason ki rann posib gerizon ak padon epi louvri pòt la a yon lavi nouvèl. Koulye-a re-ekri lèt la. Si w panse li pap pote lavi, avan w voye-l, fè yon ti lapriyè pou w ak zanmi an.

Avèk afeksyon,
Msgr Gervasio

The scammers are at it again! If you receive the email message below

Let me know if you are not occupied at the moment, I need you to do me a favor real quick. Email me back immediately you receive this message.

(or anything similar), purportedly from Monsignor Gervasio (or any other OLS-SA staff member), please do not respond to it. Instead, report it to the Hamilton Township police.

Please visit www.ols-sa.org/news/warning for more information.
 

The Diocese of Trenton is committed to the norms of the U.S. Bishop’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in regard to the reporting and investigation of sexual abuse allegations involving minors.  If you have been sexually abused as a minor by anyone representing the Catholic Church, or if you know of someone who was, you can report that abuse through the diocesan Hotline: 1-888-296-2965 or via e-mail at abuseline@dioceseoftrenton.org.  Such allegations are reported to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.