24rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

SABBATH GUIDE

24nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

SIRACH 27:30-28:7 | PS 103 | ROMANS 14:7-9 | MATT 18:21-35

Healing takes time, especially wounds of the heart.

Misunderstood, offended, or even betrayed - we all have experienced this by people we trust or even love. This week, take those to the feet of Jesus in prayer.

Forgiveness is not an easy or rapid process. Jesus says in today's Gospel that you must forgive "not seven times but seventy-seven times." Taking time to reflect on a past relationship that caused hurt allows the possibility of forgiveness for an interaction or two, but the more we take time, the more things might come up. Hold space for each hurt, take it to our Lord, and choose to forgive that person for that instance.

Jesus is our Prince of Peace, but our peace comes with a price. Jesus paid it for us with His body and blood on the cross, but it demands our response to lay down our pride and choose forgiveness, not just for the other person's good, but for our own.

Forgiveness is the path to healing the wounds of our hearts - saying no to drinking the poison of bitterness, resentment, and regret - but it doesn't always mean the restoration of a relationship either: you can entrust that person to the Lord and pray for their holiness and goodness as well as your own.

If you struggle to forgive, seek healing by talking to someone you trust, taking that struggle to confession, praying a novena to Mary Under of Knots, seeking counseling, or even doing something that brings you joy. God extends His abundant mercy to each of us, and while we are not perfect, we are called higher. Give Him the hurt you have been carrying in your heart. He desires not only your wellness; He desires for you to live "life to the fullest" (John 10:10).

Reflection:

  • Is there someone in your life who has hurt you?
    How might the Lord be calling you to forgive them? What are some practical steps you take to forgive someone who has hurt you? Take time this week to pray for that person.

  • How do you feel about this statement:
    "Forgiveness doesn't always mean the restoration of a relationship"? Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you had to forgive someone without continuing with the relationship?

  • What do you think are some of the biggest barriers to promoting forgiveness in our relationships and communities? How can we work to overcome these barriers?

St. Ann Parish