Thursday, August 17, 2006

Forgiveness

Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times." Matthew 18:22

Reflection:

Peter asked a good question, do we forgive those who have sinned against us, seven times. And Jesus lovingly said not seven times but seventy-seven times. Which he means as many times as the need is to forgive.

We are stubborn creatures that hold on to our anger for another, refusing to forgive the hurt they cause us. It is so very hard for us to look at them and say I forgive you. And when they continue to cause hurt and we keep looking at them with disgust in our eyes, then we fail to do as Jesus asks.

Sometimes even when we walk away we need to forgive, not just others but ourselves too. God forgives us, even when we may think we do not desreve it. This is the beauty of God, his love that speaks so clearly of forgiveness.

Yet it is so very hard for us to forgive. We have different scenarios that could be spoken of, that cause great harm to another. It is in these difficult moments of pain and hurt, that we have an even greater need to give forgiveness as well as ask for it from those we do the hurt. What forgiving does is free us from useless baggage. Unnecessary and unneeded baggage that weighs us down in spirit and soul.

Our world is full of peole who seek revenge. Many refuse to speak to another when they become hurt. And the cycle continues, until we eventually wipe ourselves out, in the name of I'll get you back. So much petty squabbles could easily be taken care of, if only we take the steps to forgive one another, and do what we are suppose to do, love one another.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I recently shared this prayer of Fr. DeGrandis to a group of men at our church. It is perhaps one of the most powerful prayers I have ever encountered, and perhaps one of the hardest to pray and absorb in our hearts:

http://www.alighthouse.com/pforgiveprayer.htm

Marie Cecile said...

Thank you Brother Lesser for the prayer of forgiveness. As you say it is quite powerful, and far reaching to everyone. And like you said the hardest to pray and absorb in our hearts. Let us hope then, that those who read it will find renewal, and a longing to forgive others and themselves.

Chris Dickson, F.L.A. said...

Archbishop de Provencheres le Tubet writes some consoling sords: "When I make my examination of conscience, rather than remembering my sins, I prefer to remind myself of all the love Christ has had for me during this particular day, or morning, or during the time since my last confession. If one looks at oneself, although it is perhaps not all bad, all the same it is not very brilliant; whereas if one looks at the love of Christ for a soul, or for His Church, one can only sing a hymn of thanksgiving... The things that are going badly are the work of the devil, and that is why I prever one not to have too many scruples about one's sins; one has to think of them only so as to see God's forgiveness" (Jesus Caritas, Summer 1974).

Marie Cecile said...

Brother Lesser,

Thank you on those wonderfully insightful words.