"Indi ninyo paghukman ang iban agod indi man kamo paghukman sang Dios. Indi kamo magsiling nga dapat sila silutan, agod indi man kamo pagsilutan sang Dios. Patawara ninyo ang mga nakasala sa inyo agod patawaron man kamo sang Dios.
Maghatag kamo agod pagahatagan man kamo sang Dios. Kon maghatag ang Dios sa inyo, ginasukob gid niya sing maayo, ginauyog, ginadasok, kag nagaawas pa antes ibubo sa inyo suludlan. Kay kon paano ang inyo paghatag sa iban amo man ina ang paghatag sang Dios sa inyo."
Prayers:
"Lord Jesus, your love brings freedom and pardon. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and set my heart free that nothing may make me lose my temper, ruffle my peace, take away my joy, nor make me bitter towards anyone."
***
Reflections of the Daily Gospel:
Do you pray for God's mercy for your people and for yourself? And do you forgive those who wrong you? Daniel was ‘shamefaced’ before God because of the unfaithfulness of his people (see Daniel 9:4-10). He acknowklowledged the sins and failings of his own people, and he pleaded with God for compassion and pardon. When we are confronted with our sinful condition and failings we experience guilt and shame. This can often either lead us to cast off pride and make-belief or it can lead us to lose our inhibitions and fall into more shameless deeds! If we are utterly honest and humble before God, we will admit our sins and ask for his mercy and forgiveness. Do you know the joy and freedom of repentance, forgiveness, and a clean heart?
Do you pray for God's mercy for your people and for yourself? And do you forgive those who wrong you? Daniel was ‘shamefaced’ before God because of the unfaithfulness of his people (see Daniel 9:4-10). He acknowklowledged the sins and failings of his own people, and he pleaded with God for compassion and pardon. When we are confronted with our sinful condition and failings we experience guilt and shame. This can often either lead us to cast off pride and make-belief or it can lead us to lose our inhibitions and fall into more shameless deeds! If we are utterly honest and humble before God, we will admit our sins and ask for his mercy and forgiveness. Do you know the joy and freedom of repentance, forgiveness, and a clean heart?
What makes Christians different and what makes Christianity distinct from any other religion? It is grace – treating others, not as they deserve, but as God wishes them to be treated – with loving-kindness and mercy. God is good to the unjust as well as the just. His love embraces saint and sinner alike. God seeks our highest good and teaches us to seek the greatest good of others, even those who hate and abuse us. Our love for others, even those who are ungrateful and selfish towards us, must be marked by the same kindness and mercy which God has shown to us. It is easier to show kindness and mercy when we can expect to benefit from doing so. How much harder when we can expect nothing in return. Our prayer for those who do us ill both breaks the power of revenge and releases the power of love to do good in the face of evil.
How can we possibly love those who cause us harm, ill-will, and grief? With God all things are possible. He gives power and grace to those who know his love and who ask for the gift and help of the Holy Spirit. Paul the Apostle reminds us that "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us" (Romans 5:5) God's love conquers all, even our hurts, fears, prejudices and griefs. Only the cross of Jesus Christ and his victory over sin can free us from the tyranny of malice, hatred, revenge, and resentment, and give us the courage to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). Such love and grace has power to heal and to save from destruction. Do you know the power of Christ's redeeming love and mercy?
No comments:
Post a Comment