The primary theme of our Gospel reading today is forgiveness. Jesus exhorts us to love those who hate us, bless those who curse us, pray for those who mistreat us, and to let go of what was taken from us. In short we are to stop judging and condemning, instead forgiving and giving without measure.
In this vein, Archbishop Lori issues his monthly challenge. He said, “To forgive others can be very difficult at times, especially when someone repeatedly offends us. Jesus tells us there is no magic number that limits our obligation — our desire to forgive and show mercy to others must be boundless, just as God’s mercy toward us is infinite. We pray in the Our Father, ‘Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.’ Our very salvation depends on our willingness to forgive, for God will forgive us in the measure that we forgive others.”
Our own life experiences probably tell the story that a life that includes deep resentments leads to a life of futility and unhappiness.
The Archbishop asks the following questions: Are there people in your life whom you find difficult to forgive for past offenses? Do you sometimes find yourself saying the words “I forgive you,” but holding on to the hurt like a grudge? What steps can you take to move to true forgiveness?
He challenges us to make a list of the people in our lives — past and present — whom you find or have found difficult to forgive, and to sincerely pray for them each day.
Someone recently gave me the following prayer that can be used for these types of situations:
“God, help me to forgive (insert name). He/she is yours now. Please give him/her everything I want for myself. Give him/her love, happiness, joy, and freedom, and especially You, God. Please help him/her be everything he/she would like to be.”
Jesus reminds us that the measure with which we measure out, not just forgiveness, but also love, happiness, joy, and freedom to others will be measured out to us. Let us measure out generously.
In the spirit of forgiveness, guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
Thank be to God!
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