This is the Second Sunday of Easter and more recently it is known as Mercy Sunday. I will be preaching at the 5:30pm Saturday Mass and the 8:00am Sunday Mass.
The readings for this Sunday can be found by following the link on your right>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Last Sunday's homily is available at the Estok Homily Library link >>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Why not join this blog page as a follower - you can do so annonymously. Just like commenting>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I am thinking that the apostolic community was an impressive bunch! They not only had a transformation in their lives personally, but they were working some impressive deeds in the sight of the world publicly. These deeds were changing people's lives. Thousands were being added, crowds would press in upon them, people just wanted to get close to them because of their "power" to heal, to calm, to forgive in the name of Jesus.
Not so much with us today, the succesors to the Apostles. We perform the miracle of the Eucharist everyday and our churches are empty. No one is lining up to hear us preach, feel our power, experience our faith. But I am thinking this could change.
I think we have a gift from God that we are not employing...a gift,if employed, would startle the world. It is mercy. We can forgive. Jesus has entrusted this gift and power to us. And we are not and don't know how to use it. The world is afflicted with unforgiveness. People are holding grudges, nursing wounds, practicing combative politics, terrorizing those who have offended us. Wow.
I think our forgiving others would be an astonishing witness. But we don't know how. I think I have a secret that is the formula for forgiving. It may save our lives and change the world.
5 comments:
Thank you for allowing the Divine Mercy Holy Hour to continue this year at St. Albert's. It is such an important message and devotion that everyone needs to hear. I have met so many Catholics who have no idea about the DM chaplet and devotion or of St. Faustina. It is such an easy and short chaplet to pray, it easily becomes a habit.
Thank you for promoting Divine Mercy Sunday and the devotion :) LR
Forgiving will make us more human and more divine too.
In my opinion, there are many reasons why we have difficult forgiving. One is the result of our fal-self system, we believe erroneously, that staying in our self-build prison is the right path the easier path for us.
We believe that by not forgiving we protect ourselves for being hurt again. No forgiving gives us the idea that we are maintaining power over those who hurt us.
How much power we will have if we could love them!
Forgiveness is an acceptance of the past so we can go ahead with life.
When wwe forgive we imitate God's mercy to us. P.
I think you are on to something. It is so true about people holding grudges, nursing wounds, practicing combative politics, terrorizing those who have offended us, etc.
It is often not easy to forgive but it offers so much good and mercy if we do. I think you are right about not really knowing how in many instances.
It would be a much better world if we all could begin to offer forgiveness as shown by Jesus. It is definitely a long journey, but it has to start somewhere.
I think there is an interesting correlation between forgiving and loving. To the extent we want to be more loving…we probably need to be more forgiving. And if we want to work at being more forgiving, it will help if we work at being more loving. We can never promise our loved ones that we won’t hurt them. It is an unfortunate part of our human brokenness – that simply by being in close relationship hurts will occur. But the good news is that even in the sadness and pain of hurting, all is not lost. As you say, we are gifted by God with the ability to forgive – and if mercy is extended, those who are open to it can grow more deeply in their spirit of charity. Not only are hurts healed, but growth in love and holiness occur. What an amazing gift that is! Yes, enough to change the world.
I agree with you anon1. If we concentrate on loving others, we must forgive. In turn, when we forgive, we experience love ourselves. It is healing.
If anyone is interested, I've read two amazing books relating to forgiveness under the most atrocious circumstances: Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza and the sequel Led by Faith: Rising From the Ashes of the Rwandan Genocide.
Immaculee tells her story about the Rwandan Genocide and how she was able to forgive the people who murdered her family and race. It's very powerful; I highly recommend.
:) LR
Post a Comment