Dear Ones, It’s always such a blessing to be asked to write. And I am so thankful that I am part of the hundreds of women who write Daily Gospel Reflections for Catholicmom.com (part of Holy Cross Family Ministries).

My post:

Daily Gospel Reflection for March 14, 2023

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

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Reflection by Emily Davis

Today’s Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35

It is no mistake that I was asked to write an additional Gospel reflection, and this is the one. In this passage, the servant who’s huge debt was forgiven won’t forgive his fellow servant a small debt. How many times have you made justifications for yourself but lacked compassion for others?

The lesson in this passage is so immense and yet so humbling and simple if we live forgiveness correctly. In our humanity, we don’t live it correctly, but that’s why we have the Bible, so that we can be reminded and ask forgiveness of our own sins.

“Peter approached Jesus and asked him, ‘Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.'” Matthew 18:21-22

Our Lord, Jesus, gave His holy life in reparation to God the Father for our sins. As Catholics, we say the Our Father, we recognize our sinfulness, and yet, we hesitate to forgive any little or harmless mistakes that our closest family and friends make.

In many ways, not forgiving others is not trusting God. Think about that. All we have to do is ask God for forgiveness and we are forgiven. We don’t always feel like we deserve it, because we are often harshest with ourselves. Again – lack of trust. Jesus’s last words on the cross were “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” And in many moments, we don’t get it right. But we can fix it through Reconciliation, which is the gift that cleans our hearts of sin. The trick is lying at the foot of the cross and not picking it back up.

Working on forgiveness is hard, but it’s essential in our path to heaven.

Ponder:

Are you really willing to forgive others their trespasses against you as God has forgiven and to encourage others to forgive your trespasses against them?

Pray:

Lord, please help me, and anyone reading this, see that lack of forgiveness and compassion are negativities that we don’t need in our lives. Help us to pause and reflect on Your words before we react, lest we cause harm to ourselves and others. In your Holy Name, we pray!

You should go to Holy Cross Family Ministries, and Today’s Gospel Reflection. You can sign up for the daily reflections there.

Note to my readers:
I would like to add that forgiveness repairs relationships. But, it also releases you from the angst, insecurity, negative thoughts, that are all eating away at your heart and soul. Forgive people even if they don’t want to hear they are forgiven. Then, be done with all the negatives that surround whatever wrong it is. What I do know for sure is – there are people, who when you call them out, they go about trying to destroy your reputation, so that they can deflect the guilt from themselves. That’s ok. Let them. You move on. Ignore. Pray for peace, etc. Don’t engage them. PERIOD.

My mother was a violent alcoholic with many mental and physical health problems. Thirty years ago, sitting in a therapists office, he said, “forgive her. If you are looking for an apology, it’s not going to come. Alcohol, drugs, mental illness – they rob people of their ability to see the truth. Forgive her, and live a good life. You owe that to your younger self, if no one else!” He was so right. The important thing is that you forgive – for you. For God. You owe no one else an explanation.

I can promise you that Our Blessed Mother Mary – she is the best example of a great mom, and I’m so honored and humbled by Her Holy Guidance.

From an article in the Catholic Journal:

Pope Francis explained how critical it was to understand “forgiveness.” The pope went on: “A person unable to forgive has not yet known the fullness of love. Only one who truly loves is able to forgive and forget. At the foot of the Cross, Mary becomes for all people the mother of forgiveness, as she follows in the example of her Son who forgives those who are killing him.”

The pope further explains, “For us, Mary is an icon of how the Church must offer forgiveness to those who seek it. The Mother of forgiveness teaches the Church that the forgiveness granted on Golgotha knows no limits. Neither the law with its quibbles, nor the wisdom of this world with its distinctions, can hold it back. The Church’s forgiveness must be every bit as broad as that offered by Jesus on the Cross and by Mary at his feet. There is no other way.”

Happy Tuesday all.

Love, Hugs & Blessings,
LadyEm