"Lent 2008" at:
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Pope Benedict XVI, Shepherd of Truth is designed as a bulletin insert
which you can use at your local church to keep up to date on what the Holy
Father is saying. You are free to reproduce it for this purpose.
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Monday, February 18, 2008
Daniel 9:4-10, Psalm 79, Luke 6:36-38
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/021808.shtml
FOR-GIVE
"Pardon, and you shall be pardoned. Give, and it shall be given to
you." —Luke 6:37-38
We receive according to the measure in which we give. Yet we cannot give
to God and others until we have forgiven. "If you bring your gift to the
altar and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave
your gift at the altar, go first to be reconciled with your brother, and
then come and offer your gift" (Mt 5:23-24). Unforgiveness leaves us
spiritually paralyzed at the foot of the altar, unable to give, receive,
or live the Christian life.
Consequently, we must lose no time in forgiving others and being
reconciled (Mt 5:25). We must not let the sun go down on our anger;
otherwise, the devil will work on us (Eph 4:26-27). By the grace of God,
we should decide to forgive as quickly as we're offended, even if we're
hurt seventy times seven times.
Unforgiveness prevents us from receiving anything from God (Sir 28:2-5),
but opens the door for us to receive other things. Jesus calls these
things "torturers" (Mt 18:34). When we don't forgive, we can receive
self-hatred, depression, loneliness, anxiety, compulsive behavior, etc.
What we receive depends secondarily on our giving and primarily on our
forgiving. Our forgiving depends completely on our relationship with
Jesus.
Prayer: Father, give me, in Jesus, the divine power to forgive.
Promise: "Justice, O Lord, is on Your side." —Dn 9:7
Praise: The decision of a Christian community to forgive the person who
murdered several of their children was a powerful witness to the nation of
the truth of the gospel.
(For a related teaching, order our leaflet "Unforgiveness is the Cause" or
on audio AV 41-1 or video V-41.)
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from
February 1, 2008 through March 31, 2008
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General Archdiocese of Cincinnati,
August 14, 2007
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be
free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have
granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.
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