St. Bede-St. Denis Parish Home

Dear brothers and sisters:

 

It is a fact that there are times when we hurt each other. Conflicts leave us with wounds that, even if carried in silence, can reappear over time, fueling reproaches toward others for feelings that remained unexpressed. While conflicts are inevitable, Jesus reminds us today that when we hurt each other, only forgiveness can heal and restore us from within.

 

Forgiveness is incompatible with the temptation to dominate others and try to mold them to our thoughts and feelings. Forgiveness is built on silence, contemplation, and waiting. It involves adapting to each person's time and process and cultivating a generous attitude within that replaces reproaches with listening and suspicions with warm acceptance.

 

Forgiveness is learning from the father in the parable to let others fly free without trying to keep them at our side, and at the same time, never tire of waiting to unconditionally welcome their return. Forgiveness means dismantling certainties and turning our inner house upside down in search of valuable coins or undertaking a long and costly journey to find the lost sheep.

 

There is no forgiveness without personal effort and sacrifice; there is no healing if it does not make possible the joy of that encounter that restores rather than judges, and that welcomes rather than rebukes. Daily conflicts are inevitable; inflicting wounds, small or large, is part of life... but choosing the path of forgiveness to restore and heal is the option Jesus offers his followers because this is the God we believe in. Those who contemplate and welcome God into their lives as that father who waits, forgives, and embraces will be able to share his heart with others to live this way.

 

Happy Sunday!

 

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