Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Freed by forgiving

Grace: To desire to forgive
Scripture: Deut 30:15-20; Lk 6:37; Col 3:13; Mt 18:35

"Nothing cripples emotional and spiritual life more than unforgiveness." (--from Forgiveness, by Fr. Richard McAlear, OMI)

"Forgiveness is the very heart and soul of the gospel message." (from Forgiveness) It is what Jesus gave us in the face of His great suffering on Good Friday. He forgave and asked the Father to do likewise. In order to truly receive this precious and costly gift our hearts must be open and free. This freedom can only come by forgiving the hurts others have committed against us.

"This outpouring of mercy cannot penetrate our hearts as long as we have not forgiven those who have trespassed against us. In refusing to forgive our brothers and sisters, our hearts are closed and their hardness makes them impervious to the Father's merciful love..." CCC 2840 "It is there, in fact, 'in the depths of the heart,' that everything is bound and loosed. It is not in our power not to feel or to forget an offense; but the heart that offers itself to the Holy Spirit turns injury into compassion and purifies the memory in transforming the hurt into intercession." CCC 2843
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Novena to the Holy Spirit

"Wait for the promise of the Father...you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you." Acts 1:5,6

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.