St. Joseph's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church

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Home Catholic Questions & Answers Can we keep hatred towards our enemies? Can we take revenge?

Can we keep hatred towards our enemies? Can we take revenge?

No, because our relation with God very much depends on our relation with man. Our reconciliation with our brethren is a must for our reconciliation with God (Mt. 18:35). Even a sacrifice is unacceptable to God when the devotee's relation with his neighbour remains strained. Hence, reconciliation first, and then the offering (Mt. 5:23-24). Christians are expected to love not only their neighbours but also their enemies. But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be the son of your father in Heaven... therefore be perfect, just as your Heavenly Father is perfect (Mt. 5:43-48). "Therefore, if your enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:20-21).

To Peter's question, 'Lord how often shall I forgive my brother?' Jesus' answer was 'seventy times seven' i.e. unlimited times (Mt. 18:21-22). Jesus' own example is that of forgiveness. Though he was God and could destroy his enemies (Mt. 26:53), he only forgave those who crucified him. His prayer was, "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do" (Lk. 23:34). Stephen, the first Christian martyr, too recited the same prayer when he was stoned to death - "Lord do not charge them with this sin" (Acts 7:60). Leave the vengeance to God; He is the right judge to judge the wrong doers. "Vengeance is mine, I will repay" says the Lord (Heb. 10:30, Deut. 32:35-36). So we shall not take revenge on others: "Therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long suffering, bearing with one another, if anyone has a complaint with one another, even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do (Co. 3:12-13; Mk. 11:25- 6). "And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you" (Eph. 4:32).

In Gal. 5:16-25, hatred is listed as the works of flesh, where as love, long suffering, kindness etc. are listed as the fruits of the Spirit (VV 22-23). "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another envying one another (VV 25-26). Instead of going for litigation against your brother, Paul asks, "Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be defrauded? (1 Cor. 6:7). Bless those who persecute you (Rom. 12:14). Repay no evil with evil (V. 17). Beloved do not avenge yourselves. Vengeance is mine, I will repay." (VV. 17-19), So leave the vengeance to God and live in the Spirit.
 


Sunday Prayer Meeting

Every Sunday we have our prayer meeting starting from 8.45 am to 10.00 am conducted at Church Chapel. Everyone is welcome to join us also encourage others do the same.

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Prayer Meeting Schedule

St. Mathew's Prayer Group
(N/A)

St. Joseph's Prayer Group
(N/A)

Little Theresa Prayer Group
Saturday, Mar 17, at 7.00 pm
Joy & Shyni's Residence
2201 79th Place N, Seminole, FL 33772
Phone: (727) 319-3125

Sacred Heart Prayer Group
Friday Mar 9, at 7.00 pm
Kochumon & Kochumol's Residence
6308 Sea Lavender Ln, Tampa, FL 33625
Phone: (813) 962-0941

 


SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 
Prayer Meeting - 8.45 AM
Malayalam Mass - 10.15 AM

Tuesday - Friday
Malayalam Mass - 6.30 PM

Saturday
Malayalam Mass - 9.00 AM
followed by Adoration.

CCD CLASS - EVERY SUNDAY
Every Sunday 8.50 AM,
followed by Malayalam Mass.

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REGISTRATION
If you have not registered with the SJSMCC, please do so ASAP. This is mandated by the diocese. Regardless of your membership with KCACF, separate registration with SJSMCC is required. SJSMCC has to maintain its own record. SJSMCC can provide any reference or document only if you are a member of the church.

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We are doing a Holy Rosary over Telephone every night at 9.00 PM. Please join with us today!

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