"I've heard people say that forgiveness is for wimps. Well, I say then that they must never have tried it. Forgiveness is hard work. It demands diligent, self- discipline, constant corralling of our basest instincts, custody of the tongue, and a steadfast refusal not to get caught up in the mean-spiritedness of our times."
Marietta Jaegger- Lane
Mother of a murdered child
For Reflection:
Am I willing, with the grace of God, to enter into the hard work of forgiveness? Of the necessary demands Marietta outlines, which one do I most need to acquire? I will start to ask God to supply my need this minute and make this my prayer request until I begin to manifest it in my life.
(See tomorrow's Grace Line for a help along the way.)
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"Be angry, but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger."
Ephesians 4:26
For Reflection:
Scientific research proves the wisdom of this passage. The psychological effects of lack of forgiveness and pent-up anger causes real physical problems. To what extent have I seen or experienced this reality? What positive steps can I take today to rid myself of this anger?
(See tomorrow's Grace Line for insight).
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"Hate the sin. Love the sinner."
St. Augustine
For Reflection:
Such simple words, but words so hard to live! Why is it difficult to separate the sin from the sinner? What virtue will most help me to accomplish this goal?
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"The saints rejoiced at injuries and persecutions, because in forgiving them they had something to present to God when they prayed to Him."
St. Teresa of Avila
For Reflection:
On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being "the greatest sinner" and 10 being the "greatest saint," at what level am I according to this quote? Am I happy with my position? What can I do to improve it according to St. Teresa of Avila? With whom can I begin?
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"Pardon one another so that later on you will not remember the injury. The recollection of an injury is in itself a wrong. It adds to our anger, nurtures our sin and hates what is good. It is a rusty arrow and poison for the soul. It puts all virtue to flight."
St. Francis de Paola
For Reflection:
What great insight into the consequences of harboring resentment about a wrong committed against us! In what way does recollecting an injury add to anger, nurture sin, hate the good, and become a rusty arrow and poison for the soul? Why does it put virtue to flight?
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"No one heals himself by wounding another."
St. John Chrysostom
For Reflection:
How have I seen this to be true in my own life and in the lives of others? Why do I think this is a true statement?
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"Our friends, then, are all those who unjustly afflict us with trials and ordeals, shame and injustice, sorrows and torments, martyrdom and death; we must love them greatly for we all possess eternal life because of them."
St. Francis of Assisi
For Reflection:
What a counter-cultural way of looking at the sufferings imposed upon us by others! How have those who have burdened me with pain and suffering become conduits leading me to eternal life? Can I, then, refuse, to forgive them?
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"If God has forgiven you your past, you have no right to continue clinging to it."
Alex Rebello
For Reflection:
To what extent do I cling to my past and my past sins? According to this quote, why have I no "right" to cling to them? How can I begin to let go beginning right now? What does this say about my future actions, behaviors, and intentions?
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"A man turning from an evil life is bound to be rendered desperate by the knowledge of his sins, if he does not also know how good God is, how kind and gentle, and how ready to forgive."
St. Bernard of Clairvaux
For Reflection:
To what extent has knowledge of my sins rendered me almost desperate by knowledge of them? How has God shown me His goodness, kindness, gentleness, and readiness to forgive? Have I seen this expressed by a priest in the Sacrament of Penance? How and when?
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"Forgiveness is not something that can be bought; those to whom it is offered are bankrupts. It is capital advanced to them, which they are to repay with an interest of tears."
Father Ronald Knox
For Reflection:
To what extent have I shown myself to be a "bankrupt?" How has God's mercy been extended to me (think in concrete terms)? What do I think it means to "repay with an interest of tears?" Have I exhibited this disposition of heart? When, how, and why?
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