Assumption Bvm Church, Feasterville recently issued the following announcement. 

The Reading from Sirach 27:30-28:7 states “Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight. The vengeful will suffer the Lord’s vengeance, for he remembers their sins in detail. Forgive your neighbor’s injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.” 

Today’s Readings from Sirach and the Gospel of Matthew reminds us of the power of forgiveness. These Readings from Holy Scripture are very direct. During these trying times in which we find ourselves; we would all do well to sincerely reflect on forgiveness. 

In today’s Gospel from Mathew 18:21-35. Peter asks Jesus, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As Many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” In other words, always forgive. We have all been hurt by people in our lives. We feel wounded and hold on to these wounds. We are only hurting ourselves in the long run. Withholding forgiveness will have an effect on our mental and physical well-being. When we forgive, even if the person who hurt us doesn’t ask for it, we stop being the “victim.” We overcome the stress, bitterness and negativity that are stifling us. Then we are free to open ourselves to the Lord’s healing. Let God’s forgiveness soften our hearts and break through our guilt, shame and sadness that we always experience when we are deeply offended. Always ask God to help us to release the anger, and forgive the person who caused the hurt. Let the act of forgiveness bring us peace and help so we can move on. We do not have to forget in order to forgive. We can release our attachment to what has been done to us and increase our awareness so that we don’t allow it to happen again. When we truly practice forgiveness, we simply let go - of our indignation of the other person, even of our desire to control the situation. In doing so, we join the divine cleanup brigade, helping the angels to keep our lives free of the litter of bitterness and the sludge of grudge so that a clear river of happiness and peace can flow through us. An Angelic Reflection: Forgiveness is the surest route to the inner peace the angels want for us. Stay safe and well. May God bless you and your family as fall approaches and always.

Original source can be found here.