REFLECTION FOR THURSDAY OF THE 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR I. (2)
REFLECTION FOR THURSDAY OF THE 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR I.
THEME: Fulfilment of God’s promise and our response to God’s graciousness in forgiving our sins.
BY: Fr Francis Onwunali.
The message of today’s liturgy blends the theme of fulfilment of God’s promise and our response to God’s gr
Although our sins have been forgiven, however, the stains, patches, dents and wounds imprinted as a result of those sins remain, and can only be removed through certain punishments or acts of purification either here on earth, or in purgatory
REFLECTION FOR THURSDAY OF THE 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR I.
THEME: Fulfilment of God’s promise and our response to God’s graciousness in forgiving our sins.
BY: Fr Francis Onwunali.
The message of today’s liturgy blends the theme of fulfilment of God’s promise and our response to God’s graciousness in forgiving our sins. It is only through our reconciliatory response in life that we will benefit in God’s graciousness.
In today’s first reading (Joshua 3: 7-10, 11, 13-17), a parallel event to the crossing of the Red Sea into the desert took place. At the end of their journey in the desert, the Israelites were faced with the enormous task of crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land. As promised by God, as soon as the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant stepped into the water, the rushing river ceased, and the Chosen People crossed through the river bed on dry land. The beginning and end of our life is in God’s hand and control. Do you truly submit to God’s overpowering hand in your life?
RELATED: HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
In the gospel (Matt 18: 21- 19: 1), Jesus uses the parable of the unforgiving servant who refused to pardon a fellow servant after his master has pardon his huge debt to instruct that forgiveness is to be given and received unlimitedly.
Dear friends, the mystery of the Incarnation and our Redemption is God revealing in action His unconditional love for us. God, in Christ, has forgiven us and paid the debt of our sins by His passion, death, and resurrection. Our response should be that of gratitude. The willingness to forgive those who have offended us is a sacred duty as it is an inimitable character of God who first forgave us in Christ. To benefit from this Godly gesture of forgiveness, we must let go of any resentment, grievance, or ill-will against our neighbour.
I pray as we journey in life today, we will remember God’s love and mercy towards us, and work assiduously to forgive all who have hurt us in order to be freed from all bitterness and resentment. May we have the grace and strength to live out in our lives the forgiveness we seek from God on daily basis as we pray the “Lord’s Prayer.” May your face shine on us and teach us your decrees (Ps. 119: 135). Have a forgiveness-full day!
@Fr Francis Onwunali
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