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TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus said,

“If you do not forgive others,

then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done.”

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– Matthew 6:15 (GNT)

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REFLECTION…

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A God who forgives is a wonderful God.

But if God, who is thrice-holy, has mercy on the sinner,

how much more ought we to forgive others.

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No one on earth is perfect.

In the same way as God loves us, even though we have defects,

and forgives us,

we should love others, even though they have defects,

and we should forgive them.

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If we wait to love people who have no defects,

we shall never love anyone.

If we wait until others mend their ways or apologise,

we will scarcely ever forgive them

…with the consequence that we ourselves will never be forgiven.

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“If you do not forgive others,

then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done.”

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QUOTE…

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“All right: that person has behaved badly towards you.

But, haven’t you behaved worse towards God?”

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– St. Josemaria Escriva

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PRAYER…

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Father, in heaven.

hallowed be Your Name,

Your kingdom come,

Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

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Have mercy on me, Lord,

forgive me my sins,

forgive me for hurting You so many times,

forgive me for the times when I hurt others.

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Forgive also my unforgiveness;

remove all the bitterness from my heart;

help me to forgive.

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Father, I love You

and I need Your love,

and I desire Your forgiveness.

Father, I want to do Your will.

Father, with the help of Your grace, I forgive.

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Amen.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Father, with the help of Your grace, I forgive.

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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The fifth petition

(in the Our Father: “…forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”)

begs God’s mercy for our offences,

mercy which can penetrate our hearts

only if we have learned to forgive our enemies,

with the example and help of Christ.

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[CCC 2862]

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On May 13, 1981, Pope John Paul II was shot and seriously wounded in St. Peter’s Square by Mehmet Ali Agca. Blessed John Paul II forgave his would be assassin, providing a model for forgiveness. He visited Mehmet Ali Agca on December 27, 1983.