The parables of the unforgiving servant and the brother of the Prodigal son are “… a warning about the consequences of letting our hearts become hardened; allowing revenge & anger direct our actions & our attitudes! Forgiveness begins with empathy: it means overcoming our own anger & outrage at the injustice waged against us & focusing our concern, instead, on the person who wronged us & ruptured our relationship with him/her.”
It means possessing the humility to face the hurt we have inflicted on others as a result of our insensitivity & selfishness. But only in forgiving & seeking forgiveness are we able to realize the possibility of bringing healing & new life to a pained & grieving situation.
Forgiveness is the currency of heaven. It doesn't bring reconciliation immediately…. it begins the healing. Christ calls us to create within our families & communities an environment in which forgiveness is joyfully offered & humbly but confidently sought. (Connections 09/11/11)
Consider whether or not your eternal destiny hinders on your willingness to forgive while you are on earth? To offer mercy? These are not easy questions, but they are worthy of our reflection and consideration.
Maybe this note found on a child in Ravensbruck Concentration Camp can help us in our reflection. An unknown woman in the Ravensbruck concentration camp wrote this little prayer and pinned it to the dead body of a little girl there. I’d like to share her prayer.
“Oh, Lord,” she wrote, “remember not only the men and women of good will, but also those of ill will. But do not remember all the sufferings they have inflicted on us. Remember rather the fruits we have bought, thanks to this suffering: our comradeship, our loyalty, our humility, our courage, our generosity; the greatness of heart that has grown out of all of this. And when they come to judgment, let all the fruits we have borne be their forgiveness.”
Today reflecting on FORGIVENESS offered and accepted is worthy of our time.
May God Be Praised!
Continue to pray, Hear my cry! “Lord, listen to my prayer: turn your ear to my appeal.” You are my refuge and my hope, I turn to you during this COVID 19 Pandemic and plead for Your intercession. In Your mercy and Your compassion “… grant eternal rest to the dead, comfort to mourners, healing to the sick ….”
[Psalm 143 and Collect from Mass Time in Pandemic]
Provide strength to the first responders, compassion to the medical personnel, and wisdom to government leaders. End this coronavirus scourge. Send Your light to me as I wander in the darkness of this pandemic and give me hope in Your eternal love today and every day. Amen. [Dcn. George Kelly]
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