| Come now, let us set things right, says the Lord.
(Isaiah 1:18)
Reflection.
If most problems come from unforgiveness, we can understand why Jesus emphasizes
forgiveness to an extreme degree. When Peter suggested to Jesus that we should
forgive seven times, he was correct. (Mt 18:21) Seven in the Bible stands for an
indefinite number of times, so Peter was saying we should forgive indefinitely. This
is the correct answer but not the correct emphasis. Jesus proclaims we should
forgive "seventy times seven," indefinitely times indefinitely. (Mt 18:22) Jesus
further emphasizes forgiveness by saying God's kingdom is a matter of forgiveness
and those who do not forgive are handed over to torturers. (Mt 18:23, 34)
And when the disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray, Jesus told them to pray
they be forgiven as they forgive. (Mt 6:12) This means prayer will hurt rather than
help us if we do not forgive. This is the only point in the Lord's prayer on which
Jesus commented. He reiterated: "If you forgive the faults of others,
your heavenly Father will forgive you yours.
If you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive you." (Mt
6:14-15) Jesus insists on forgiveness. We must pass on the forgiveness He has given us by
the shedding of His blood on Calvary ...Father Al Lauer
Lenten Question
Q: Are acts of repentance appropriate on other days during Lent?
A: Yes. Thus the states: "All Fridays through the year and he time of Lent are
penitential days and time throughout the universal Church" (CIC 1250).
Lenten Action.
Forgive someone who has wronged you; Ask for forgiveness from someone you
wronged.
Prayer
Forgive my sins against the unity of your family; make me love as you loved me.
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