Forgiveness
In this weekend’s Gospel passage from Matthew, Peter asks Jesus HOW MANY times we must forgive. The answer from Jesus suggests more WHY we should forgive than how many times. In my fascination with the concept, I have come to identify 3 types of WHY:
The philosophical Why
The inquisitive Why
The motivational Why
We may forgive someone because we see the philosophical aspect of forgiveness. Philosophically we may say, “Yea, it is a good idea to forgive.” Often in the Sacrament of Reconciliation I ask people if they believe God forgives them. Some answer with a somewhat philosophical, theological or general answer such as, “Yes, God forgives.” When I sense a lack of personal application I follow up with, “But do you believe God forgives YOU?”
The inquisitive why has less application in this situation. However, the motivational WHY certainly does.
Why should we forgive? Here are some suggestions based on the Gospel this week. Genuine forgiveness is a matter of the heart, not the calculator. Forgiveness fosters hope through new opportunities. Forgiveness can win out over the source and motivation for the sinning, however significant or small. Genuine forgiveness can often be a significant step in someone else believing that God forgives him or her. In other words, a reason why we should forgive is to extend the unconditional love and forgiveness of God into our world.
Why we do anything is an essential and potentially spiritual endeavor, particularly if we espouse what Ignatius of Loyola does, that we can find God in all things.
Another reason why we should forgive is that it is part of the Reconciliation process. Forgiveness, genuine forgiveness, complements examining our conscience, entering into the prayerful ritual, committing ourselves to CONTRITION (which means CHANGE), doing an activity outside of the intimate “confession” conversation (Penance), and finally receiving the blessing of God, which is also the blessing of the Church and also the blessing of Absolution from the priest.
Why should we forgive? Because it is so important to the larger sacred reconciliation process, both formal and informal, ritualized by the tradition of the Church, as well as ritualized and experienced in the sacredness that is present throughout our lives.
Finally, we should forgive as a CHOICE, not as an obligation or something taken lightly or that we think would be a good idea.
Reconciliation Times
Any of the priests who preside here would be open to an appointment for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. EVERY Monday evening from 5:30-7:00pm, the Sacrament is offered in church, and EVERY Advent and EVERY Lent we offer a Reconciliation Service with individual Reconciliation.
Be More
Please familiarize yourself with the BE MORE Ignatian Fitness Program that will constitute our Adventure in Grace Pilgrimage this year (see details on page 7 of this bulletin). Throughout the year you will hear the term IGNATIAN a lot, which is a way of describing the spirituality of Ignatius of Loyola.
As you may already know, Ignatius of Loyola (Spain) had a profound conversion experience from being a very worldly, overconfident young soldier to being ordained a priest and founding the Society of Jesus, also called the Jesuits. The conversion was fueled by a cannon ball shattering the lower part of his leg, the risk of never walking again, walking with a limp for the rest of his life and the Spiritual Exercises that he wrote in the early 16th century as he recovered. This recovery was humbling and put him in touch with the all-encompassing presence of God and a focus for one’s very purpose in life.
Our BE MORE adventure will begin during weekend Mass homilies Sunday, October 8 and then a more in-depth presentation on Wednesday, October 11. Fr. Rick McGurn S.J., a Jesuit priest from Bellarmine Retreat House in Barrington, will give an introduction explaining more details about the life of Ignatius of Loyola and Jesuit Spirituality. Please put this event on your calendar today.
Plan to join us for Fall Fest on Sunday, September 24. The festivities run from 11-3pm in the parking lot.
The Knights will host their Café that morning from 8:30-12:30 in the social center if you want to start your day with a great breakfast. I hope to see you there.