Daily Gospel Reflection for March 22, 2022

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

I don’t know about you, but when I’m seriously wronged by someone I don’t usually want to forgive them one time, let alone seventy-seven. The world teaches us that we don’t have to. We don’t owe anything to anyone who hurts us. We are totally justified in withholding forgiveness from someone who we don’t think deserves it.

But, we Catholics aren’t of the world and forgiveness isn’t an option.

We have to do it.

Every. Single. Time.

No matter what happened.

No matter how hard it might be.

Whether we want to or not.

We have to forgive because God forgives and forgiveness is love. Love is important because God is love and he asks us to love each other the way He loves us. So not only is forgiveness honoring God, but it’s loving and serving our neighbor through humility.

Forgiveness is accepting what has happened and letting it go. It’s not forgetting, it’s simply deciding to let go of the pain and will the good of the offender. That’s what real love is. Forgiveness frees us from the shackles of pride and anger. It heals our hurt and brings us closer to God. Through the process of forgiving, we ask for strength and help. We ask God to help us will the good of our offender. We ask God to help us forgive. We can’t do any of these things without Him. God always brings good from bad and joy from pain. Forgiveness is no different. At the end of that road lies a great deal of peace. The kind only a loving God can give to someone who seeks it and is willing to accept it.

Ponder:

Is there someone whom I need to forgive? If so, what steps can I take to get there?

Pray:

Lord give me the humility to will the good of those who have wronged me and give me the strength and wisdom to forgive others the way You forgave all from the cross.

Click to tweet:
Forgiveness frees us from the shackles of pride and anger. It heals our hurt, dulls the pain, and brings us closer to God. #dailygospel

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