In today’s Gospel Jesus is talking about holding onto grudges, anger, hurt, and hatred. It is likely that most of us dislike someone. However, we probably all have had to deal with grudges, anger, hurt, and jealousy at various times in our lives. These are emotions that we all have. They are part and parcel of being human. Do we always like these emotions? Most likely not! Yet, these emotions that we may consider negative are as much part of us as are the positive emotions, such as love, gratitude, appreciation, hope, understanding, and faith!

As human beings, we experience both ends of the spectrum of emotions: positive and negative. Today Jesus is talking to His disciples about the choices we have. We can choose to focus on the emotions that we know are positive and make us feel good: love, hope, generosity, and faith, or we can choose to focus on the emotions that disturb us and upset us: anger, jealousy, etc. 

The reality is that our emotions are neither “bad” nor “good.” They simply are! However, we have to learn how to deal with the gamut of emotions. When we were children how did our parents teach us how to deal with our emotions.   Did they  teach us  to throw temper tantrums, hit others, and act out?  Hopefully not.   

We all know what Jesus is asking us to do. It is not easy!

Most of all, we need to pray for the grace, the strength, and the wisdom we need at this time. What will we choose today?

It is up to us. We have the power and God will give us the grace that we need. 

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