Some thoughts on Forgiveness…
Henri Nouwen once wrote: “To forgive another person from the heart is an act of liberation. We set that person free from the negative bonds that exist between us. We say, ‘I no longer hold your offense against you’ But there is more. We also free ourselves from the burden of being the ‘offended one.’ As long as we do not forgive those who have wounded us, we carry them with us or, worse, pull them as a heavy load. The great temptation is to cling in anger to our enemies and then define ourselves as being offended and wounded by them. Forgiveness, therefore, liberates not only the other but also ourselves. It is the way to the freedom of the children of God.”
Henri Nouwen once wrote: “To forgive another person from the heart is an act of liberation. We set that person free from the negative bonds that exist between us. We say, ‘I no longer hold your offense against you’ But there is more. We also free ourselves from the burden of being the ‘offended one.’ As long as we do not forgive those who have wounded us, we carry them with us or, worse, pull them as a heavy load. The great temptation is to cling in anger to our enemies and then define ourselves as being offended and wounded by them. Forgiveness, therefore, liberates not only the other but also ourselves. It is the way to the freedom of the children of God.”
Pope Francis says the very essence of God is Mercy. Period. End of discussion. He says the Mercy of God is the most beautiful truth of our faith. God’s love for us is so great, so deep; it is an unfailing love, one that always takes us by the hand and supports us, lifts us up, and leads us on.
Fr. Greg Boyle S.J. says “Jesus never modeled the One-False-Move-God, but rather was always proclaiming the No-Matter-Whatness of God.”
Bishop Untener once pointed out that Jesus didn't go from town to town saying, "Bring me your best and brightest." Rather, he sought out the “hot-messes” among us. He taught us that God doesn’t shun or abandon us in our darkness until we clean up and get our act together. Rather he said God loves and accepts us as we are, not as we should be.
God doesn’t love us despite our faults and failings, but rather works in and through them to bring about His kingdom. Jesus preached a God who knows that we're not perfect, that there's a dark side to our lives, that we've got some shameful memories, and that God wants to be with us in those parts of our lives where we don't feel so good about ourselves. Jesus came to say not simply "I love you," but to say, "I love you THERE, in the part of your life no one else sees.”
I long to believe in the image of God that Jesus paints for us. I want to believe in the utter foolishness of God’s mercy. That like the Good Shepherd, God would do the pastorally unthinkable, and completely outrageous thing and leave the 99 to find that one lost renegade sheep. I want to believe that I’m that precious and treasured by God; that each of us is that precious.
Today, together, we profess our belief in the power of God’s love to change and heal each of us, and for us to then change the world. No small dream. May this love seep deep into our souls this sacred day.
Send your "Crazy Catholic Questions" to Lisa Brown at dre@ctredeemer.org. Read past columns at: www.crazycatholicquestions.blogspot.com.
Fr. Greg Boyle S.J. says “Jesus never modeled the One-False-Move-God, but rather was always proclaiming the No-Matter-Whatness of God.”
Bishop Untener once pointed out that Jesus didn't go from town to town saying, "Bring me your best and brightest." Rather, he sought out the “hot-messes” among us. He taught us that God doesn’t shun or abandon us in our darkness until we clean up and get our act together. Rather he said God loves and accepts us as we are, not as we should be.
God doesn’t love us despite our faults and failings, but rather works in and through them to bring about His kingdom. Jesus preached a God who knows that we're not perfect, that there's a dark side to our lives, that we've got some shameful memories, and that God wants to be with us in those parts of our lives where we don't feel so good about ourselves. Jesus came to say not simply "I love you," but to say, "I love you THERE, in the part of your life no one else sees.”
I long to believe in the image of God that Jesus paints for us. I want to believe in the utter foolishness of God’s mercy. That like the Good Shepherd, God would do the pastorally unthinkable, and completely outrageous thing and leave the 99 to find that one lost renegade sheep. I want to believe that I’m that precious and treasured by God; that each of us is that precious.
Today, together, we profess our belief in the power of God’s love to change and heal each of us, and for us to then change the world. No small dream. May this love seep deep into our souls this sacred day.
Send your "Crazy Catholic Questions" to Lisa Brown at dre@ctredeemer.org. Read past columns at: www.crazycatholicquestions.blogspot.com.
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