Unless we forgive from our hearts everyone for everything done against us, we will be handed over to the torturers (Mt 18:34). Forgiving others from our hearts means forgiving them out of the forgiveness and mercy we have received. The master questioned the unforgiving servant: "Should you not have dealt mercifully with your fellow servant, as I dealt with you?" (Mt 18:33) The Lord gives us the grace to forgive others by making us aware of how much we have been forgiven.
Do you realize that you have been forgiven an enormous debt of sin? Your sins were actually part of the reason why Jesus was tortured and crucified (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 598). By your sins, you have rebelled against the all-holy, all-loving God. Your sins are expressions of the grossest ingratitude to the God Who created, nurtures, protects, and continues to sustain you. Because you have sinned against God Himself, your sins are so serious that it is justice for you to be damned forever.
However, we need not be damned. We are forgiven. Considering our debt to God, His forgiveness is amazing and life-changing. After being forgiven so much, we can no longer look on God, ourselves, others, and life in the same way (see 2 Cor 5:16). We have been shocked by God's forgiveness into a life of thanksgiving to Him and forgiveness of others. Be shocked by forgiveness into forgiveness.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I be shaken by Your forgiveness of my sins. |
| PROMISE: | "Let our sacrifice be in Your presence today as we follow You unreservedly; for those who trust in You cannot be put to shame. And now we follow You with our whole heart, we fear You and we pray to You." –Dn 3:40-41 |
| PRAISE: | Father Ron forgave the parishioners who tried to have him expelled from his parish. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College