Forgiveness

 

 

                             Forgiveness

 

"The deeds you do may be the only sermon some people will hear today."  [St. Francis of Assisi]

 

Bishop Barron recently shared this insight into Forgiveness, [It] … is … an anchor of the New Testament, and … central to Jesus’ ministry and preaching. When it comes to the offenses that we have received from others, we are, all of us, great avatars of justice. We will remember every insult, every snub, and every shortcoming when it comes to our being hurt by others. That’s why forgiving even once or twice is so difficult.

Forgiving seven times, as Peter suggests, is beyond the pale. Yet Jesus says to him, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” In other words, forgive constantly, relentlessly, without calculation. Your whole life must become an act of forgiveness.

And this is why Jesus tells the parable in today’s Gospel. The man who had been forgiven so much should, at the very least, show forgiveness to the one who owed him so much less.

Here is the spiritual heart of the matter: whatever anyone owes you (in strict justice) is infinitely less than what God has graciously given to you; the divine forgiveness you have received is infinitely greater than any forgiveness you might be called upon to offer.

Becoming an instrument of God’s life, grace, forgiveness, and peace is what it is all about. Allow to flow through you what has been poured into you—that is the whole story.”  [Bishop Barron on Forgiveness, Matthew 18:21–19:1]

St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta summed forgiveness very succinctly, "If we really want to love, we must learn how to forgive."

 

St. Joseph, pray for us.

St. Andre Bessette, intercede for us. 

St. Francis de Sales, pray for us.

“Tune my spirit to the music of heaven.”  [St. Brendan the Navigator]

 

May God Be Praised and your day be Blessed.