Two friends who were avid golfers, were playing golf one day and they wondered, “Is there golf in heaven?”  That day they made a deal one day while golfing.  Whoever died first would come back and let the other one know if there was golf in heaven!

One day one of the golfing buddies died and he came back to his friend and said, I have good news and bad news.  Good News – great golf courses – never have to wait, yesterday I played with Sam Sneed, Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer.  Bad News – you tee-off tomorrow @ 9:00 a.m.

Ordinary Time is an opportunity for us to look at how we are living our as disciples of Jesus Christ.  St. Francis deSales tells us, “In the end, we are really what we are before God.”  (Sermons in a Sentence, vol. II, P. 31)  Fundamental to being a disciple of Jesus is developing a contrite heart and a humble spirit.  de Sales teaches us that, “Bearing with the imperfections of our neighbor is one of the chief characteristics of this love.” [Living Jesus, p.249]

Think about the times you asked for forgiveness and how difficult that was!  Think about the times you had to forgive and how difficult that was!  Only a heart that is beating in rhythm with God can do that.

Only a will that is united with God can be contrite and humble enough to forgive.  Today reflect on this prayer of forgiveness found on the body of a dead child at Ravensbruck Concentration Camp.

Prayer of Forgiveness

Lord, remember not only the men and women of goodwill, but also those of ill-will. 

But do not remember all the suffering they have inflicted on us,

remember the fruits we have brought, thanks to this suffering—

our comradeship, our loyalty,

our humility, our courage,

our generosity,

the greatness of heart which has grown out of this, & when they come to judgment, let all the fruits that we have borne be their forgiveness.

(Found on a piece of paper by the body of a dead child at the Ravensbruck concentration camp)

“Love consists in this: not that we have loved God but that (God) has loved us and sent his Son as an offering for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)

May God Be Praised!