Lent 2013

Monday, Second Week of Lent

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.  Do not judge, and you will not be judged...Forgive, and you will be forgiven.  Luke 6:36-37

We are all wounded people.  Who wounds us?  Often those whom we love and those who love us.  When we feel rejected, abandoned, abused, manipulated or violated, it is mostly by people very close to us: our parents, friends, spouses, lovers, children, neighbors, or teachers.  Those who love us would us too.  That's the tragedy of our lives.  This is what makes forgiveness from the heart so difficult.  It is precisely our hears that are wounded.  We cry out, "You, who I expected to be there for me, you have abandoned me.  How can I ever forgive you for that?"

Forgiveness often seems impossible, but nothing is impossible for God.  the God who lives within us will give us the grace to go beyond our wounded selves and say, "In the name of God you are forgiven."

Lord, help me to forgive all who have hurt me.  Amen.