3rd Week of Lent 2023 - Tuesday - Forgive from the heart

 

One of the great Lenten themes is that of forgiveness.  On Good Friday, we will hear Jesus plead from the cross, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”  All that Jesus suffered, all that he endured, the tortures, the mockery, the humiliation—he endured that our sins may be forgiven.  Yet, Jesus was willing to die for the forgiveness of sins because of his great love for us.  Jesus came to earth for this purpose.

When GK Chesterton was asked why he became Catholic, his simple answer was “to get my sins forgiven”.

The reception of God’s mercy is not automatic.  We must want it, desire it, seek it, and do what it takes to receive it.  The soul stained by original sin must receive baptism.  The baptized soul stained by mortal sin must receive the sacrament of reconciliation. Without God’s forgiveness, we cannot enter into eternal life.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls “wicked” the servant who refused to forgive.  

A Christian must never say, “I will never forgive you.”  For if we are closed to forgiving others, we become closed to receiving the forgiveness which leads to heaven.  Again, Jesus describes refusal to forgive as wickedness.  

Forgiveness is not easy.  It might feel like, say, being crucified.  

It is difficult enough to forgive those who have offended us even once with a small offensive remark or an unfriendly look.  When asked how many times we should forgive someone who offends us, St. Peter is pretty generous, he says seven times. But the Lord corrects him, we must forgive not seven times, seventy-seven times, meaning its not worth counting at all: forgive without limit.

If upon examining our hearts we detect any resentment or bitterness, we need to bring those feelings to the foot of the cross and let them go.  And if those resentments rear their ugly heads, we must repeat that process over and over: "Lord help me to forgive, help me to forgive with all of my might and the help of your grace, help me to forgive from the depths of my heart." If you are keeping a list against anyone of times they’ve offended you, rip-up the list and consider the slate wiped clean—daily!

So as we meditate this Lent upon the Lord’s forgiveness of our sinfulness, we also recall our own need to forgive without limit.  Forgive completely, forgive regardless the cost, forgive from your heart, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That readiness to forgive may mark the life of every Christian. Let us pray to the Lord.

That all families will recommit themselves to fervent prayer this Lent so as to grow in greater love and holiness.  Let us pray to the Lord.

That this Lent we will be faithful to fasting and to all the ways that the Lord sanctifies us.  Let us pray to the Lord.

For generous giving for the needs of the poor, the hungry, the homeless, those who are sick, unemployed, victims of natural disaster, terrorism, war, and violence, the grieving and those most in need.  Let us pray to the Lord.

For all those who have died, for all the poor souls in purgatory, for those who have fought and died for our country’s freedom, and for [intention below], for whom this Mass is offered.  Let us pray to the Lord.

Mercifully hear, O Lord, the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in your divine mystery may always benefit from your assistance.