forgiveness – lectiodiv.com

“For every tree is known by its own fruit.” | Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praise to your name, Most High, To proclaim your kindness at dawn and your faithfulness throughout the night. Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (6:39-45, today’s readings)

“A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles.”

In the first reading, Sirach says, “The fruit of a tree shows the care it has had.” Jesus tells his disciples some parables to expand on the truth contained in this idea, including spiritual blindness, or a deeply rooted lack of accountability. The blind are not capable of leading the blind, and if there is a beam of judgment in our own eye, that must be removed before we can see out of God-given mercy the splinter in another’s eye. Jesus’ instruction to remove the beam from one’s own eye before addressing the speck in another’s eye is a teaching on the importance of self-awareness and accountability. What does self-examination reveal about our motivations and intentions? Any good fruit in us that “shows the care we have had” reveals the gift of God’s mercy alive in our hearts.

God, you alone are just and know the hearts of your people. Judgment is not mine to wield, and the word of life will come to fulfillment in the final judgment. Saint Paul reminds me to keep this in mind, that life leads in only one direction in hope of the resurrection: “When this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about.” Guide me, Lord, to shine like a light in the world as I hold on to the word of life.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.” | Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “Trust in the LORD and do good, that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security. Take delight in the LORD, and he will grant you your heart’s requests. Commit your life to the Lord, and he will help you.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (9:30-37, today’s readings)

Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”

As Jesus travels with the disciples through Galilee, he tells them about his coming passion, death, and resurrection. Unable to understand him, they ask no questions but on the way to Capernaum discuss who among the disciples is the greatest. Once inside the house where they would stay, Jesus shares with them what true greatness means as his disciples: the first shall be last, and the last shall be first. The child from within the house that Jesus places before them is somehow closely related to the disciples, possibly a son or daughter or nephew or niece of one of the disciples. In receiving the child, Jesus teaches us what the love of a father for his children looks like as he speaks of his own Father and ours as the “One who sent me.”

Father in heaven, teach me to put myself last of all today. In doing what is necessary today, help me look first to the needs of others even as I accomplish my tasks. Nothing extraordinary is likely to happen today as I try to act on being “the last of all and the servant of all.” Yet, let me receive the gifts you give me today and not take my own agendas so seriously that I forget you, the giver of all that is good. The psalmist’s prayer is to “trust in the LORD and do good.” Give me the grace to take to heart this seemingly simple task today for the sake of your glory.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Everything is possible to one who has faith.” | Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “The LORD is king, in splendor robed;
robed is the LORD and girt about with strength. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (9:14-29, today’s readings)

Jesus said to him, “‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.” Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!”

Taking place immediately after the Transfiguration as Jesus comes down from the mountain with Peter, James, John and meets the other disciples, today’s Gospel describes Jesus’ encounter with a man whose son is possessed. In an argument with some scribes after attempting to drive out the demon, the disciples face the lack of faith of the father and the scribes. That is why Jesus says to them, “O faithless generation, how long will I be with you?” Jesus then asks them to bring the boy to him, whose spirit throws him to the ground in convulsions. The father asks for Jesus compassion and help, saying “if you can do anything.” Jesus redirects the father’s attention to everything that is possible through faith in God. In response, his profession of faith is a prayer for all who have faith in the Lord: “I do believe, help my unbelief.”

God, help me trust that you can do the impossible, especially in circumstances that appear to have no solution. Just as the father asks for help on behalf of the son, let me come to you with firm conviction in faith that you alone can restore us to your image. Daily life seems to produce abundant barriers to the realization of hope sought through continual prayer. Yet, through Jesus Christ your Son, you transfigure human dignity in a way that accomplishes your plan for salvation while respecting free will. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,” you say through Isaiah, “neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD.” Lord, strengthen my faith!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Expect nothing back. | Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him. The Lord is kind and merciful.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (6:27-38, today’s readings)

“But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

In these words, Jesus might seem to impose a standard that is too high for anyone who has received mistreatment from others. In cases of abuse, turning the other cheek is not about passively accepting it but instead refusing to engage in cycles of mistreatment and a commitment to breaking the patterns of aggression, degradation, and manipulation that inherently assault one’s human dignity. Even so, the forgiveness that Jesus calls us to is not of earthly origin; it comes from the Father, and we receive it as his children. As Saint Paul writes, we have borne the image of the earthly man, Adam, we will also bear the image of the heavenly one, “As a father has compassion on his children,” the psalmist says, “so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.” With the love of the Father—the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ—who first loved us, we are to love our enemies and expect nothing in return.

Father in heaven, teach me to forgive; show me how to be merciful as you are merciful. Help me always to forgive no matter what and to reconcile with others whenever possible. Give me all the grace needed to continue to forgive when mistreated and to know that it is not meant for me to hold as your child but is for the sake of your Son’s passion and death and for him to bear. When reconciliation is for the moment out of reach, teach me in that moment to forgive as best as I am able as I receive and give away your mercy for the sake of your glory. The Lord is kind and merciful. Jesus, I trust in you.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Where are the other nine?” | Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin

Keep me in your care, Lord. Give me the grace to give you thanks always for being at my side to give me courage as I move through every moment of the day. Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, pray for us!

From the responsorial psalm: “He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side With your rod and your staff that give me courage. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 17:11-19)

As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.

Lepers see Jesus as he travels through Samaria and Galilee. The ten lepers remain at a distance and call out loudly to him, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” In a few words, Jesus heals them, saying, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” As the lepers go, they are miraculously healed of their leprosy as they obey Jesus’ command through their faith and action. But only one leper—a Samaritan, a foreigner—returns to thank Jesus, falling to his knees. Jesus says, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.” Through his faith and gratitude, the leper receives complete healing in mind, body, and soul. As the day progresses, will there be time to stop and thank God for the work he accomplishes through us as we do his will.

God, let me consider the Gospel acclamation: “In all circumstances, give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” I am sure that throughout the day I will experience what I believe are dark valleys, paths that appear to lead to no good end. Even in those circumstances, stir up in me the desire to take comfort in you, knowing you are present with your rod and your staff to guide and protect me. Keep me in your care, Lord. Give me the grace to give you thanks always for being at my side to give me courage as I move through every moment of the day. Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Perpetual adoration live stream Kolbe Shrine.

“If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.” | Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop

From the responsorial psalm: “Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? or who may stand in his holy place? He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 17:1-6)

“Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’ you should forgive him.”

Jesus recognizes the inevitability of sin. In the same breath, he warns the disciples of the dire consequences of causing “one of these little ones” to sin—that it would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and that he be tossed into the sea. Although we choose to sin through free will, our brothers and sisters and all of those around us can lead us into the temptation of sin, whether through counsel, command, consent, provocation, or praise. About these very same people, Jesus says, “Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.” Forgiveness calls for repentance from the offender countless times as they say sorry, yet this might never come to be. The Apostles on hearing this, perhaps recognizing the high bar Jesus places before them, ask him to increase their faith. And it only takes a little—faith the size of a mustard seed to be an instrument of God’s mercy. Faith in the mercy of the Father allowed Jesus to say from the cross, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”

God, help me dwell today on the Gospel and on the first reading. Saint Paul describes a blameless steward who is in service to you: “blameless, not arrogant, not irritable, not a drunkard, not aggressive, not greedy for sordid gain, but hospitable, a lover of goodness, temperate, just, holy, and self-controlled, holding fast to the true message.” Arrogance, irritability, aggression, and other sins do not call for acceptance and approval but forgiveness for those who repent of them. Guide me Lord; make me blameless and a lover of goodness, holding fast to you in faith. Teach me to forgive even those who wound without knowing what they do. Saint Martin of Tours, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Perpetual adoration live stream Kolbe Shrine.

“There am I in the midst of them.”| Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr

From the Gospel acclamation: “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 18:15-20)

Jesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell the Church. If he refuses to listen even to the Church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Jesus teaches the disciples how to reconcile within the Christian community. In first approaching the wrongdoing of another toward you to find reconciliation, Jesus hints at the joyful outcome. Seeking reconciliation out of sincerity and goodness multiplies goodness by winning over a brother with it. If private reconciliation is not achieved, then escalating it with the involvement of more witnesses is necessary. In this teaching, Jesus emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation but at the same time calls attention to the need for discipline and accountability when necessary. The aim is unity in the Church through Jesus Christ. “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

God, thank you for entrusting to me the means to choose reconciliation and to discern when that is at least temporarily not possible. Jesus acknowledges that brothers and sisters do sin against one another, and he makes explicit the reality of truth in saying “so that every fact may be established.” Grant me the wisdom to reconcile in the light of truth whenever possible for the sake of uniting in prayer with those who gather in the name of Jesus Christ your Son. Through his teachings, help me learn to recognize when I encounter someone who refuses to reconcile, even when listening to the counsels of the Church on repentance and conversion. For the sake of your glory, Lord, guide me as I seek to follow your teachings on reconciliation. Saint Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Not seven times but seventy-seven times.” | Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 18:21-35)

When [the king] began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, “Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.” Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan.

Jesus tells Peter a parable in response to his question: “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” After Jesus relates the story of the king who shows compassion and forgives the servant, he then reveals the shadow side of the servant, which emerges as he encounters a fellow servant who owes him a much smaller debt. “Pay back what you owe,” he demands. And although the fellow servant begged for him to be patient in paying back the debt, the servant refused and had him put in prison. When the fellow servants reported to the king what they had witnessed, he had the servant brought before him and, as Matthew tells us, handed him over to torturers until he paid back his entire debt. Jesus finishes by saying, “So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.” Can the words of Jesus on the necessity of forgiveness be any clearer?

God, from what I have learned through experience, complete forgiveness is impossible when I rely only on my own capacity. In those moments when I meet with unforgiveness, complete what I can’t accomplish if left to myself. Give me the grace needed to be merciful with others just as you are merciful with me. How often, Lord, must I forgive my brother? I can’t fathom the number; let me trust in the constant aid of your mercy.

From the responsorial psalm: “Remember that your compassion, O LORD, and your kindness are from of old. In your kindness remember me, because of your goodness, O LORD. Remember your mercies, O Lord.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” | Monday of the Second Week in Lent

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 6:36-38)

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

Jesus calls the disciples—and all of us—to perfect mercy by being merciful just as his Father is merciful. He gives examples of what mercy is: not judging or condemning but rather being forgiving and giving in relationships with others. To be merciful in this way seems an impossible task, yet that is exactly the way of life that Jesus invites us to adopt. When we ourselves, undeserving of mercy, receive it from God, Father of us all, it seems natural that we adopt the Spirit of the Father and do the same when encountering his sons and daughters. The gift he gives us becomes the gift we give away.

God, help me be merciful. I am quick to judge, and draw back from judgment and criticism only when I stop to consider what I am doing. Judgment is a two-edged sword that comes back to me time after time in some form. Instead, Lord, give me the grace to stand up against the dysfunction of judgment and forgive the faults of others or past hurts, not for the sake of self-gain but simply to stop judging. When I struggle to be merciful and forgiving, help me call to mind the words of Jesus and the result of being merciful: “Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you.” Lord, open my eyes today to the opportunity to be merciful.

From the responsorial psalm: “Remember not against us the iniquities of the past; may your compassion quickly come to us, for we are brought very low. Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” | Second Sunday of Lent

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 9:2-10)

Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. . . . Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.

As Peter witnesses the Transfiguration, he says to Jesus: “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Then, giving insight into Peter’s state of mind, Mark tells us, “He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.” Next, God’s voice comes from heaven telling Peter, James, and John to listen to the words of his beloved Son. Suddenly, all was as it had been before, and Jesus stood alone with them. He tells the disciples to relate to no one what they had just witnessed. Finally, Mark leaves us with this statement, which every Christian ponders throughout life: “So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.” In the Transfiguration, Jesus reveals in an astounding way the realization that he is the Son of the living God; even more, he unveils for a moment what one day we may become in remaining in him.

Father in heaven, help me connect the two voices I hear in today’s readings. In the first reading, you speak to Abraham, who you asked to sacrifice his own beloved son but then held him back, sparing his life. “Because you acted as you did in not withholding from me your beloved son, I will bless you abundantly and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore.” Ages later, you gave your beloved Son as a sacrifice for all, and did not hold back his death, but he willingly accepted death in order to destroy it and rise to new life—not for himself alone but for all. As Saint Paul said, “Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” Strengthen my faith, Lord, so that I stand side by side as a witness of the Transfiguration, confirmed in hope of the glory of the Resurrection.

From the responsorial psalm: “I believed, even when I said, “I am greatly afflicted.” Precious in the eyes of the LORD is the death of his faithful ones. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.” If God is for us, who can be against us?

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.