Honey-Comb Mercy
A Reflection for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Brent Smith, Director of Adult Faith Formation & Evangelization
Mercy, like raw honey from the comb, is worth a little wax in your mouth. Although the bees have no concern for nourishing humanity with their sweet production, it’s a known fact that such honey is a delight for the tongue and immunity alike. At the farmer’s market in Winfield, the husband & wife honey vendor recommended I try comb-honey. As a candy minimalist (i.e., I limit myself to dark chocolate, natural sweeteners, and an occasional licorice piece), I fell in love with the stuff!
The Hebrew scribe Sirach points out the divine consequences of how we treat our neighbors. Although “hateful things,” “anger against another,” and “wrath” are meant to be set aside to enjoy the honey of God’s mercy, it’s tempting to prefer them over anything else! When someone gives-in to those sins, channels of grace run dry, and the covenant of merciful love is forgotten. Instead, in the words of Scripture, “Forgive your neighbor’s injustice” (Sir 28:2) – then each one of us will be receptive to God’s gift of forgiveness.
In shrouded language, St. Paul tells his readers that each person’s life is measured according to the law of merciful love modeled by Jesus Christ. By sacrificing his life, Jesus embraced agony as the way to eternal life. While he certainly did enjoy the simply blessings of life, Jesus knew his life had a purpose, “For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living” (Rom 14:9). He was willing to chew his share of wax, knowing the honey of eternal life would be made available to those who request his mercy.
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant truly drives home the truths of those first two readings. The mercy of our heavenly Father, known through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, is beyond our repayment. While none of us is worthy, let us beg the Lord for mercy, trusting over lives to his honey-like goodness.
Praise the Lord, my soul, and do not forget how kind he is. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He keeps me from the grave and blesses me with love and mercy (Ps. 103:3-4; Today’s English Version)