Forgiveness. Not always an easy thing to do. But as Christians, it is one of the key messages Jesus gave us to inherit eternal life. I tend to have a long memory. I do work and pray about this. But how can I expect Jesus to forgive me, unless I forgive others? I suppose knowing my own weakness is a good start. Who can forget the photo of Pope John Paul 11 sitting in prison with the man who shot him? Forgiveness 21 Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus *said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
We get very confused about forgiveness. Forgiveness is a decision that we make. Our stomach may be twisting as we pray for someone, we may recall bad feelings whenever we think about them. This is not a lack of forgiveness but rather emotions and a heart that are still hurting very much. Whenever I get thoughts like that, or painful memories, I forgive them again, and pray for them. I pray almost daily I would think for my enemies. The pain is lessening over time. Some scars will remain, however, unforgiveness is an uninvited guest who gets booted out quicker than he arrived! I am not a saint, and this was not easy. When I was hurt so deeply that my guts twisted over and I couldn't say the stations of the Cross without very painful flash backs, I would tell the Father that I forgave them with His forgiveness. This is indeed forgiveness. Praying for your enemies is forgiveness. It is quite easy to tell if you have forgiven someone. Would you help them if they needed help? Do you wish bad for them or are secretly pleased when you hear they have had a bit of bad luck etc? Now hurt feelings would be tempted to think their bad luck was karma, but a quick check of ourselves and praying for them would ensure that our forgiveness of them has indeed taken place. And if you had been hurt very deeply. Would you prefer that they rot in hell, or convert and don't hurt anyone else in this way? I hope that you chose the latter as it certainly is forgiveness in action. Now, there are some people who we have forgiven that it would be wise to steer clear of. But we can still have masses said for their intentions etc.. This is all about forgiveness in action. And not about our hurt feelings, which we have no control over, we are at the mercy of God and time for that. Some scars are taken to one's grave with them, however, they still pray for the person who caused this pain. This is the most courageous type of forgiveness.
Ok. You're on a roll with perfect posts today. One thing I have learnt, and that is to pray for those who hurt me. So I have been doing this for about 10 months, I suppose. You're right Mary's Child, I find by doing this you learn to love the ones who hurt you. But the idiot (as you call him) likes to get in your head. It is then I have to tell him to 'go away, and tell him I trust in Jesus.'
Thank you Jane. Oh Jane, it is lovely, when he gets in my head or causes me grief I offer it up to God and tell him that he has just helped to gather another soul for Christ. I get the feeling that he doesn't like to be told this. I also remind him that he is created like the rest of us!!
And do you not find that as you pray for your enemies you begin to realise more and more just how merciful God is? For me, that is the greatest of the graces that are attached to forgiving others..
One thing I have leanrt about forgiveness it is not a once only thing, but over and over and over again. But the more sin abounds the more God's grace abounds.
On forgiveness I read this today...look for the "quote" below after the reading of the saint for today St John Joseph http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintofDay/default.aspx
Jane I posted a prayer a while back on forgiveness it is in the prayer itself section on pg 2 hope it helps
THE LAW OF THE PROPHETS. A few years ago, I went to a synagogue to pray with the Jews. I asked the Rabbi if it was alright. He welcomed me. I was the first one at the synagogue, I even arrived before the Rabbi. Being Saturday, their Sabbath, I learnt very quickly how strict the Rabbi was about 'keeping the sabbath.' He made sure he didn't do anything. He asked me to open the door for him, turn on the lights, carry a bag to a table etc... As he was not allowed to do any of this. What happens when he goes to the bathroom? On that thought I ran, just incase he called me. No, not really. I really respect their ways, but as you can see, it is over the top. So we have this strict Jewish law for the Rabbi, and we have us Christians who have relaxed so many of the laws to suit ourselves. We seem to have moved to the 'feel good' laws. Have a look how our governments have replaced God's laws with man made laws. Anything goes as long as we don't offend anyone. Oh, we are offending the Christians, never mind, they will forgive us. Wednesday 6th March. Gospel: Matthew 5: 17-19 Jesus said, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. I assure you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
And of course Jesus followed up with these greatest laws..... Matthew 22 36 'Master, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?' 37 Jesus said to him, 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the greatest and the first commandment. 39 The second resembles it: You must love your neighbour as yourself. 40 On these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets too.'
I think you can sum it up by saying, 'If we forgive we will get into heaven, if we fail to forgive we will not get into heaven.' Thats why its at the top of the list in the Lord's prayer. 'Forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive thos ewho trespass against us'.
We have a holy Franciscan priest who served in Jamaica and battled there with a demonic oppression. It is his contention that the devil acts overtly in 3rd world countries to cause people to abandon the Church out of fear of what he will do to them. In contrast, in our "sophisticated" 1st world countries he pretends he does not exist and gets people to abandon the Church as unnecessary. In any case, he summed up this gospel reading by saying hate has no place in heaven and that not one ounce of it can cling to you before you can enter. On earth, however, we are like gazelles and demons/evil people are the predators like lions. We are called to forgive but also use common sense in avoiding those who wish us harm. Don't let your own internal hate cause you harm and don't turn your back on those who wish you harm. Love and forgive, but do not forget that you are sheep surrounded by wolves in constant need of God's protection.
John13:34 I give you a new commandment: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. The only way we can love as God loves us is with His grace, for which we must pray, pray, pray for. And when we are done, pray some more. We must be perfect as Our Heavenly Father is perfect, If not, well there's always purgatory.
