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Forgiveness

The readings of the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time are about forgiveness.  Forgiveness is at the heart of Jesus' message throughout the Gospels.  Forgiveness is essential to our relationship with God and to each other.  Our relationships are not sustainable without forgiveness - as married couples, brothers and sisters, parents and children, friends, co-workers.  All these relationships cannot last without forgiveness.  Actually, sin is a matter of damaged relationships -- it's not worth it to not forgive, life is too short!

To forgive someone is difficult.  We get hurt, we might have resentment, we might be angry -- even so, this is what Jesus is talking about when he tells us we need to forgive 70 times 7 -- always and no matter what.  It's a conscious decision we need to make.  When we're hurt, angry, resentful, wanting revenge - we need to take it to the Cross.  Jesus died to forgive us and He wants us to forgive others ALWAYS!  He never said it would be easy - In fact, it's probably one of the hardest parts in following Jesus; we risk being hurt time after time, but that doesn't matter, Jesus calls us to forgive always, to be the better person - it's the only path to peace, and our world needs it!  The longer we wait, the more difficult it is to forgive.  It needs to become our attitude every day, a part of our lifestyle, a part of who we are.  

Think of the state of what's going on in our world right now - going back to school and all the controvery surrounding how best to do this and keep everyone safe, to open businesses or not, we have the continuous demonstrations against injustices in society, our police are under a microscope - no matter what they do they might be scrutinized.  We're undoubtedly in one of the most volatile election years ever, we just marked the 19 year anniversary since 9/11 and still have much hurt and blame out there.  What a changed world we would have if everyone followed Jesus' mandate to forgive 70 times 7.  I know it seems unrealistic, but that is exactly what Jesus is calling on each one of us to do - to be that person, that disciple who forgives always - it's not us being wea - in fact it takes the strongest among us to be that person.  One person at a time we CAN change the world - think of the the saints - like St Teresa of Calcutta, St john Paul II for example who lived through the hardest of times, endured much - great models for us in this. To forgive allows us to free ourselves of anger and resentment and allows the other person(s) to be free of anger and resentment - more importantly it allows us to grow in a deeper relationship with Jesus.

We recall the words of the Our Father, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."

If we take these words to heart EVERY time we pray them, what a better world we would have.

God has forgiven us so often, we have no reason not to forgive others.

An example for all of us that we can take to heart - the words of John XXIII (Good Pope John) as he received his last anointing before dying: " The secret of my ministry is that crucifix you see opposite my bed.  it's there so that I can see it in my first waking moment and there as I go to sleep.  It's there so that I can talk to it during the long night hours.  Look at it, see it as I see it.  Those open arms have been the (programme) aim of my pontificate; they say that Christ dies for all, for all.  No one is excluded from His love, from His forgiveness ... For my part, I'm not aware of having offended anyone, but if I have, I beg their forgiveness' and if you anyone who has not been edified by my attitudes or actions, ask them to have comppassion on me and forgive me.  In this last hour I feel calm and sure that my Lord, in his mecy, will not reject me.  Unworthy though I am, I wanted to serve him, and I';ve done my best to pay homage to truth, justice, and the meek and humble heart of the Gospel.  My time on earth is drawing to a close, but Christ lives obn and the Church continues His work.  Siuyls, souls.  Ut unum sint!  Ut unum sint! (That they may be one, that they may be one!)  

I don't know about you, but if I live a life of forgiving others, that my last words might be very similar, I hope to have that peace as Pope John XXIII.

Bottom line is, we need to take our sins to the Cross.  Jesus died for us, that should inspire us to fogive others no matter the circumstance.

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