These readings are filled with so much violence -- both yesterday and today -- and we see it in our world, in our 'entertainment' if we can call it that, in our politics, the list could go on!  All I could think of yesterday was Naaman was a Syrian.  How ironic is that!  He asked for help, to be cured of his leprosy and the prophet Elisha cured him -- a miracle.  Today, Syrians risk their lives and those of their wives and young children and ask only for a place to live, to work for bread to eat and they are held in suspicion. They are not one of us. 'It' would put us out. 'It' would be a drain on our economy. Where is our mercy? I do understand 'it' is not one leper but thousands, but I believe we are stronger than that.  We are called to love and mercy, we do not have to be perfect, but we are called to love and God will raise our love above the ordinary if we trust in Him.

In todays readings we often hear homilies focused on forgiveness and the one who forgives 70 times 70 is elevated as the model of mercy.  As I read them today, I was struck by the bullying that is so rampant in our society -- you saw it in your classroom last week, and probably everyday in your classroom.  I have seen recent ads focused on supporting, affirming and picking up the bullied, befriending them -- but what about the one who instigates the bullying?  Children who are bullied and go on to thrive do so because they know there is an inner beauty deep inside, God is within them.  They can forgive, they can turn the other cheek when the entire world hurls insults at them; they have learned what it is to be loved unconditionally. How can we replace the insecurities deep within the bully, and for that matter within ourselves with self love, a believe that we are lovable because we are -- period!  We all harbor insecurities.  Call it Original Sin; the nagging thought that deep within we are not good enough, not pretty enough, not strong enough, not smart enough, we'll never be successful -- we are flawed.  We learn to put the other down in order to build ourself up, to cover for our insecurities, so we can face the world.  I must admit it would be easier to foster 100 Syrians than to take on the task of conversion to self love of one bully.  Both have the potential to affect thousands.    Both have the potential to change our world.  So what is the question -- Who's world can I change today :) ?