Tag Archives: Forgiveness

June 11, 2013

11th Sunday of the Year – Forgiveness

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Confessional

Study:  Recall a moment when you have experienced forgiveness in your own life; how did it transform you?

Pray:  Is there something in your life that calls for forgiveness?  Pray for the grace and strength to do it.

Serve:  Is there someone you can help in the journey of forgiveness?  Is there something you can do that removes an obstacle and allows forgiveness to occur?

11th Sunday of the Year Readings

The Scriptures today reveal different examples of confronting our sins and receiving forgiveness.

The first reading from the Second Book of Samuel brings us into the latter part of the story of David and Bathsheba.  David: 1 – has sexual relations with this married woman;  2 – tries to cover up his sin by tricking and intoxicating Bathsheba’s husband Uriah;  3 – orders the brutal death of Uriah while he is fighting a battle for David.

The prophet Nathan has just told a parable to David, and when David promptly responds with the demand for justice, Nathan blasts him with the crimes he has committed.  At this point we step into the reading to discover three points:
– God (very clearly) points out David’s sins
– David repents
– God forgives David’s sin

The psalm response today offers words that we might want to keep near us at all times:
“Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.”

The Gospel reading from Luke points out the reality of sin and the profound experience of grace that happens in forgiveness.  As Jesus receives the anointing of his feet, he instructs a Pharisee about the connection between mercy and love.

All three examples underscore the powerful impact of forgiveness in our lives.  In our moments of sin and temptation we encounter the darkest and most terrible parts of our hearts.  When we are honest with ourselves, we can be horrified by the potential for evil that lies within us.

Yet it is in these very experiences that we find Christ present.  The Lord will not permit us to cast a blind eye toward our sins; we are compelled to face the evil that we have done and name it.  What might otherwise fill us with shame becomes a moment of grace; Jesus Christ knows our sins (better than we do) and STILL LOVES US!  Completely!  Without limit!

Perhaps it’s time we recall the psalm response.  Perhaps it’s time that we stop for a moment and reflect on the mercy and grace that God freely grants us in our moments of weakness and sin.  Our choice to let go of sin and turn to Christ will open our hearts and fill us with a spirit of grace, hope, and peace.

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April 9, 2013

3rd Sunday of Easter – Do You Love Me?

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Jesus Loves Me

Study: Think back on a time when you made a big mistake and instead of harshness you encountered mercy.

Pray: Ask the Lord to help you love – especially people you find challenging. Pray for strength and grace to love.

Serve: Is there someone in your life that would benefit from an act of kindness, mercy, or love? Who is in your life right now that the Lord is leading you to love?

3rd Sunday of Easter Readings:

When you think of the backdrop of today’s Gospel reading, you might consider what Peter was thinking about. He had betrayed Jesus. Three times. He was told he would, he boasted he would die for the Lord, and when it came to the test he failed – utterly.

Then beyond all hope and wonder Jesus stands before Peter in resurrection glory. He’s alive! Death and sin have been conquered once for all, and we have hope in eternal life.

What would Peter say to Jesus?

Was he afraid that the Lord would be upset or disappointed? Was he worried that his friend and Lord would reject him or cast him aside? Was he ashamed, or perhaps overwhelmed with feelings of guilt and inadequacy?

Yet Jesus does not respond in a negative way at all. Three times he asks one little question: Do you love me? Three times Peter will answer yes, and in the end he will admit that Jesus knows him completely – including all his failings and limitations. The point is simple. Jesus met Peter in his weakness and invited him to live a life of love.

This encounter between Jesus and Peter should give us all hope. We all make mistakes: we’ve failed, messed up, caused harm and disappointment. Yet when we turn back to the Lord we discover the mercy and forgiveness of Jesus who asks us the same simple question: Do you love me?

What will be our answer? We have the opportunity to let go of our past sins and return once again to the Lord who loves us and invites us to love in return. Rather than be shackled to sin, fear, and death – we may embrace new life with joy and hope. Jesus Christ comes with power to free us with his healing grace.

Like Peter, we stand before the Lord in our weakness. Like Peter, we will all be asked the same question. May our answer be YES to the Lord’s love.

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March 12, 2013

5th Sunday of Lent – Justice & Mercy

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Flower

Study:  When have I truly experienced mercy from another person?  When have I been clearly in the wrong yet encountered understanding and compassion?

Pray:  Is there something in my life that needs God’s mercy?  Is there something or someone that I need God’s help to face?

Serve:  How can I practice mercy right now with someone in my life?

5th Sunday of Lent Readings

Teaching in the temple area, Jesus is confronted by the scribes and Pharisees with a woman (where is the man?) caught in adultery.  We are told that their intention is not justice, but to trap Jesus – so he can be arrested and silenced.

Here is the overview of John 8:1-11.
1           Jesus at the Mount of Olives
2          Jesus teaching in the temple area
3-6      Woman is brought to Jesus; Law is stated
7          Jesus writing on the ground
8          “Let the one without sin cast the first stone”
9          Everyone leaves; Jesus & the Woman alone
10        “Has no one condemned you?”
11        “No one, sir.”
“Neither do I…Go, and sin no more.”

Note that in this passage the Lord addresses two different groups.  The first group is composed of sinners.  His words to the scribes and Pharisees are profound:  “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”  Obviously, they must drop their stones; reflection and experience bring back numerous reminders of their sins.

Yet there is someone present who is without sin – JESUS!  His words to the crowd are about himself; he has the right and the authority to judge.

When the crowd finally disperses, he has the opportunity to speak to the woman.  “Neither do I condemn you.  Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”  Two crucial points surface from these words.

First, Jesus tells the truth; the behavior in question is a sin.  He does not ignore the fact, nor does he try to defend or explain it away.  He says it simply and directly.  His word is justice.

Second, the compassion of Jesus is evident in his gentle forgiveness.  He has the right to judge her, and he chooses mercy.

With the scribes and Pharisees Jesus reminds us “Do not judge, and you will not be judged.” (Matthew 7:1).  With the woman Jesus reminds us that in our sin and weakness we come to the Lord who longs to heal and restore us.

Which response speaks to us today?  We know that sin is real.  We know that all of us have failed and fallen through temptation and evil.  Do we need to ask forgiveness – for ourselves, or for presuming to judge others?  The Lord waits for us!

1 Comment   |  tags: , , , , | posted in Lent

March 5, 2013

4th Sunday of Lent – The Prodigal Son

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

A man & two sons

Study:  Which one am I in the parable – the son in need of forgiveness or the son who needs to forgive?

Pray:  How does God’s forgiveness touch my heart – at Mass, Confession, or private devotion?

Serve: How can I be like the father in the parable, reaching out to those in need of the grace of repentance and forgiveness?

4th Sunday of Lent Readings

This Gospel reading is very familiar.  Let’s take a moment to break it down into its basic parts:

The Younger Son – selfish & foolish
The Older Son – hardworking & unforgiving
The Father – eager to reach out to both sons

In our reading today, we discover both the context and reason for Jesus offering this parable, as well as the central points within it.  These verses are part of Luke – chapter 15.

1-3          Jesus with sinners, the Pharisees complain
4-7         Parable of the Lost Sheep (not heard today)
8-10       Parable of the Lost Drachma (not heard today)
11-32     Prodigal Son
11-12     Younger son wants his share
13           Younger son leaves father, squanders money
14-16    Younger son penniless, works as a slave
17-19    Younger son “comes to his senses”
20a        Younger son returns to his father
20b        The father sees the son, runs to meet him
21           The younger son repents to his father
22-24    The father celebrates – his son is back to life
25-27    The older son hears about his brother
28-30    The older son is angry – speaks to his father
31-32     The father’s response to the older son

What are some of the lessons of this parable?

1.  God comes to us.
2.  God longs for our life and health.
3.  God does not force us to repent.
4.  We must “come to our senses” first.
5.  Repentance & forgiveness challenge us.

Remember, Jesus was with “sinners” at the beginning of this reading.  He was reaching out to people who had made choices in the past that had led them away from God and other people.  The parable is a way to show that God is constantly inviting us back to a relationship.

The same is true for us.  Whether we stand in need of forgiveness, or need to let go of our bitterness and anger – the Lord searches for us and invites us to celebrate whenever repentance is present and life & hope are restored.

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February 25, 2013

3rd Sunday of Lent – Repentance

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Lonely tree

Study: Who do I need to forgive in my life?  Who do I need to ask for forgiveness?

Pray:  How can my prayer help me repent and seek forgiveness in my life?  Is there something special I need to bring to the Lord?

Serve: How can I be an agent for healing and reconciliation in the lives of those around me?

3rd Sunday of Lent Readings

The readings in this 3rd Week of Lent are pointed in their meaning:

1.  God comes into our world (1st & Psalm)
2.  Repent!  (2nd & Gospel)

It really is simple.  God enters into our world, revealing his love and compassion.  In our response to the Lord we are called to recognize our sins and turn away from them to a new way of life.

What does this mean for us?  How do we apply these Scriptures to our lives today?  Here are a few thoughts:

1.  Take time to examine our lives.
* What is the content of my speech?
* What is the pattern of my behavior?
* What is my attitude?
* How do I treat other people?

2.  What needs to change?
* What in my life is not Christ like?
* What in my life is destructive?
* What in my life is not healthy?

3.  Make a break and start a new way!
* Take the courage to act!
* See a new way to live…and do it!

4.  Reminders…
* We do not do this alone – lean on others.
* We do not do this alone – lean on God!
* When we make mistakes, return to God!
(this is called Confession!)

We examine our lives, judge what is not of Christ, and actively change our ways.  Simple?  Yes.  Easy?  NO!!!

Repentance takes honesty, hard work, and a commitment to grow closer to the Lord.  When we repent we make the claim that there are parts of our life that are not right – something needs to change.

As we continue on our Lenten journey, we explore and renew our relationship with the Lord.  We can see if our lives are in harmony with the faith we profess.  If there is something that has to change, we trust in the Lord for the courage to repent.

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