Daily Retreat 11/13/06
2006 Nov 13 Mon: Frances Xavier Cabrini, v, r M
Ti 1: 1-9/ Ps 23(24): 1b-2. 3-4ab. 5-6/ Lk 17: 1-6
From today’s readings: “To Titus, my true child in our common faith: grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our savior.... Lord, this is the people that longs to see Your face.... Scandals will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur!”
Forgiveness Both Ways
Forgiveness is a central theme of Christianity - not just the forgiveness that you and I and all other sinners beg from God, but also the forgiveness that He teaches us to extend to those who sin against us.
The words of Jesus are quite clear: even if one’s brother should wrong a person seven times in one day, if he repents, he should be forgiven. Most of us would naturally question the sincerity of repentance long before the seventh time, but Jesus does not specifically address such possibilities, for the Lord insists that all we do be done in God-fearing sincerity, because a person’s duplicity can cause such grave scandals, and we know what Jesus says about scandals!
Particularly when one has been deeply hurt by another more than once, it can be very difficult to forgive. And yet the loving life of Jesus shows us, not only how such forgiveness is possible, but why it is necessary! So, whenever you find yourself struggling to forgive another, ask the Lord to give you the grace to forgive as He forgives and teaches to forgive. Sometimes this takes time, so it’s understandable if you need to approach God for help to do this step by step....
Ti 1: 1-9/ Ps 23(24): 1b-2. 3-4ab. 5-6/ Lk 17: 1-6
From today’s readings: “To Titus, my true child in our common faith: grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our savior.... Lord, this is the people that longs to see Your face.... Scandals will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur!”
Forgiveness Both Ways
Forgiveness is a central theme of Christianity - not just the forgiveness that you and I and all other sinners beg from God, but also the forgiveness that He teaches us to extend to those who sin against us.
The words of Jesus are quite clear: even if one’s brother should wrong a person seven times in one day, if he repents, he should be forgiven. Most of us would naturally question the sincerity of repentance long before the seventh time, but Jesus does not specifically address such possibilities, for the Lord insists that all we do be done in God-fearing sincerity, because a person’s duplicity can cause such grave scandals, and we know what Jesus says about scandals!
Particularly when one has been deeply hurt by another more than once, it can be very difficult to forgive. And yet the loving life of Jesus shows us, not only how such forgiveness is possible, but why it is necessary! So, whenever you find yourself struggling to forgive another, ask the Lord to give you the grace to forgive as He forgives and teaches to forgive. Sometimes this takes time, so it’s understandable if you need to approach God for help to do this step by step....
posted by FrPitstick | 11/11/2006
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