Thursday 9th July- Thursday of week 14 of the year

FORGIVENESS BRINGS PEACE

Genesis 44:18-21, 23-29; 45:1-5

Forgiveness to some people’s understanding, is “not returning hate with hate”; for others, it is the inner waiving of a legitimate right to revenge. It however, reaches its peak when no external circumstance is permitted to excuse pardoning others. Joseph had all the power and legitimate right to avenge the evil his brothers did to him, however, he chose to forgive them and offer a helping hand. One of the most beautiful things about forgiveness is that it can evoke love where it never existed and it ultimately gives peace to the one who forgives. Hatred can never conquer hatred, only love can do so (expressed in forgiveness). If someone wrongs you and you react in the same way, the vicious cycle of sin and hatred only continue. Forgiveness has a strong redemptive power.

Our Blessed Lord tells us in Matthew 5:38-48, “do not oppose evil with evil. If one slaps you on one cheek, turn the other…”  This calls us to forsake vengeance, to break the web of violence and wrongdoing. Our Blessed Lord told us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. The means of expressing love to enemies comes first through forgiveness and in this act we find peace with ourselves and with God. Vengeance may seem make us happy with ourselves but never does it give us true peace with both man and God.

Dear friends in Christ, forgiveness is of the divine and no one can truly forgive except by the divine aid. Let us daily pray for the grace to forgive as the Lord forgives us our wrongdoings. Remember, in the light of eternal judgement, he who refuses to forgive others breaks down the bridge over which he himself must pass.

Prayer: Lord give me the grace to forgive my brethren as you Lord forgives me and help me understand that it is by forgiving others that I can receive mercy and peace. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC1446 – Christ instituted the sacrament of Penance for all sinful members of his Church: above all for those who, since Baptism, have fallen into grave sin, and have thus lost their basptisimal grace and wounded ecclesial communion.

Hide a Treasure: “If you do not forgive others, then your heavenly Father will not forgive you either.” Matthew 6:15

Today’s Reading: Genesis 44: 18-21, 23-29; 45: 1- 5, Psalm 105: 16-21, Matthew 10: 7-15