Jesus gives forgiveness as a gift to people who do nothing to earn it and to some people who don’t seem to deserve it. He also forgives here and now. A person no longer has to live with sin, because Jesus is so generous with this gift. Forgiveness was a gift Jesus was happy to give. Remember this was the first thing he did for the paralytic who was lowered down from the roof.
When I think about it, I experience the same thing myself. It a relief, a joy to give. I feel so much better ! It’s always a joy to give a gift to someone you love.
Sometime however I look upon giving forgiveness as though I was heroic, or fulfilling a sacred duty to someone in need. Actually, I am the person who is very much in need. I fulfill that need when I forgive. I actually get more out of forgiveness than the person I forgive, because it frees me of my anger or frustration.
It’s very much what we need to always do ! It’s why Jesus came and who he came for. Remember, he said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
St. Joseph, pray for us.
DeColores, Deacon Doug
Join us in prayer!
We encourage you to join us as we recite the Holy Rosary every night at 8PM! On Wednesdays, we pray the rosary via Zoom with the rector and rectora.
Resources for those not able to attend Mass
Daily Readings in English and Spanish from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:
Prayers, readings for Mass, and additional spiritual readings are available at:
“Give Us This Day” a digital file of their periodical, which includes daily Mass texts. Visit GUTD.net and select “Digital” in the upper right of the screen.
