Greetings on this the Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 2 Corinthians 11:1-11; Psalm 111:1b-2, 3-4, 7-8; Matthew 6:7-15
Summary
Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This is how you are to pray: as we forgive our debtors (MT 6:8, 9, 12). Forgive your neighbor the wrong done to you; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven (SIR 28:2).
I have written many reflections on the Our Father. Here is a screen image of the list.
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Today I focus on the following:
- The Lord obligates us to one thing explicitly: forgiving others.
- The Lord obligates us implicitly: hallowed be your name (hallowed means to revere, honor).
- Otherwise its a summary request list of what the Father already knows.
Reflection
(adding upon yesterday’s reflection)
If prayer is the center then the center of prayer is forgiveness.
- Forgiveness is not pretending it didn’t happen.
- Forgiveness is not pretending there is no pain.
- Forgiveness is not pretending there was no malice of intent.
Forgiveness is a a gift, first, from the Lord and a gift given from us to others. Our strength to forgive without losing the reality of the need is a divine attribute. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” (Jn 20:27). Believe what? In the resurrection? Yes, of course. Believe in Divine Forgiveness? Most certainly.
Personal Reflection
For me, forgiveness comes more readily as time passes. The passion of the event or mistake needs to subside before I can enter into the heart of forgiveness. That’s just the fact of it. Perhaps that is why Jesus waited three days before the Resurrection? To allow us time and space to have our passions subside. Not his, ours.
Holy Saturday is the awareness of the need for forgiveness., for us, by us.
So before we decline to forgive, wait three days. And pray.
Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061925.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry