FORGIVENESS IN THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN! ~ CookingFood.Org

“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”

Thursday, 11^th August 2016,

Nineteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Memorial of St. Clare, Virgin.

Ez 12: 1-12;

Ps 77: 56-59, 61-62;

Mt 18: 21-19:1

FORGIVENESS IN THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN!

It is said to err is human but to forgive is divine. In this case forgiveness becomes a challenge to a human person. In the gospel, the answer of Jesus is beyond the expectation of Peter, which means forgiveness is unlimited. It should become the continuous reality of one's life.

Forgiveness does not make us weak, vulnerable, foolish or stupid. But it calls us to a higher order of being. First of all the Lord's life was a life of forgiveness. He forgave his disciples and his enemies. Most importantly, he forgave our sins and those who sin against us. So we ask him, as often as we pray the Our Father, "to forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us." The world cannot survive if we seek only justice. There is no peace without justice and no justice without forgiveness.

Secondly forgiveness is not equivalent to forgetfulness; it is equivalent to holiness. Forgiveness is impossible without the grace of God. I can only forgive my enemies and brothers by an infusion of God's love for me - a personal experience of God's mercy towards me, and by a desire to forgive those who sin against me. Therefore, when I forgive, I do not forget what God has done for me.

Finally, forgiveness is not human; it is Christian. Today Jesus is inviting us to follow the same steps the Lord taught his disciples: Talk to the Father first; confess your part; Attack the problem, not the person; Sympathize with the other; Take the initiative and reach out to the one who offended you. There are no easy steps in forgiveness. Christ never said it would be easy to follow him. Forgiveness challenges us all. But it is what identifies us with Jesus.

Prayer: Jesus help me to forgive my brothers and sisters! Amen.