The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, December 28, 2003
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Scripture from Today's Liturgy of the Word:
Sirach 3:2-6,12-14
Psalm 128:1-5
Colossians 3:12-31
Luke 2:41-52

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today is the feast of the Holy Family. There are many beautiful references about what pleasing behaviors the Lord seeks from His followers who are, in truth, brothers and sisters in Christ; forgiveness is one of them.

To forgive someone who has grievously hurt you is one of the most difficult and sometimes seemingly impossible demands of Christian behavior and yet it is of absolute necessity if there is ever to be any peace of mind, much less peace in the world. The fact that we are called to forgiveness illustrates first of all that because of the wounded nature of mankind, we're likely to be hurt and in turn to hurt others.

Sometimes we forget how graciously God has forgiven us. The lesson to forgive others in imitation of Him is not something we readily relate to, even though it is the ultimate example of the essence of true forgiveness. Perhaps as we work to develop the concept of divine forgiveness we might look deep into our own personal experiences and discover a situation where we have wronged someone and they in turn have really forgiven our behavior. Then it becomes evident that in this human plane, forgiveness is possible and astoundingly healing.

Let us then endeavor to develop a spirit of true forgiveness, recognizing that first of all we're in need of it and so is our brother. Then, and only then, will universal peace be possible.

Bear with one another. Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you.
(see Colossians 3:13)

- Donna Nelson, ocds (drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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posted by joachim at 4:19 AM