The response to the rst reading today is: “If today you hear his voice, harden not your heart.” This ts in well with today’s Gospel about forgiveness and dealing with difficult situations. Forgiveness is not easy and from hearing confessions, I can tell you that many people confess this frequently. Many times were are victims of someone’s thoughtless behavior or someone’s loose tongue. You can’t take back what slips out of your mouth and this tends to hurt. If you have been a victim of this or something similar, it is not easy to move on. The hurt possesses you. It is at this time that you need to try to listen to the Lord’s voice. Forgiving does not mean the other person was correct or what they did or said was okay, forgiveness helps us move on; otherwise, we are letting the other person continue to possess us – our thoughts, our dreams, our conversation. All of this takes time and happens slowly, but it is worth listening to His voice.

Get ready for the Ministry Fair next Sunday! Make it a point to stop over at San Damiano Hall after the 11:00, 12:30, 5:00 or 6:15 Masses and see the various displays of the ministries here at St. Francis. Information will be given out at the various booths and you might nd a way to get more involved here at St. Francis. Refreshments will be served and it is a good way to meet people that you might see here at St. Francis, but don’t know their names. Mark the date on your calendar!

-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M