Daily Gospel Reflection for September 17, 2023

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

Forgiveness is difficult. Forgiving those who hurt us and who do not ask for forgiveness is even more difficult. There are compelling reasons to forgive, not the least of which is the point made in the Gospel--that we will be forgiven by God the Father as we forgive others. In my own life, I’ve had to forgive people whom I trusted and then harmed me. Very few of those people ever asked for forgiveness. But in doing the work of forgiveness, I had healing and peace. It took time and prayer, all worth the effort. I know that I did not do it alone; I had God with me through it all. Holding onto unforgiveness keeps us in bondage to pain. We keep looking at negative situations and wondering how it could have worked out differently, maybe blaming ourselves for not doing more to solve the problem. We cannot go back. We can only move forward. We cannot change the past.

Forgiveness is an act of mercy. Whether there are other people to forgive, or we need to forgive ourselves, it is merciful to do so. From the cross, Jesus asked for forgiveness from the Father for those who killed Him. Sadly, life experience has shown me that we may be asked to forgive unspeakable horrors and deep wounds. It is then that we can turn to God, ask for grace and strength, trusting that our desire to forgive is honored by God and He will help us.

As we move forward in the great adventure of faith in a fallen world, forgiveness will be asked of us often. Let’s not hold back in asking for forgiveness when we have hurt others or in forgiving others who have hurt us.

Ponder:

Is there anyone you are withholding forgiveness from? If so, pray for the grace to forgive.

Pray:

Jesus, lead me to ask for forgiveness when I hurt others and help me to forgive, quickly and completely, when I have been wronged.

Click to tweet:
Forgiveness is an act of mercy. Whether there are other people to forgive, or we need to forgive ourselves, it is merciful to do so. #DailyGospel

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