WILLING TO FORGIVE?

WILLING TO FORGIVE? HOW do your respond when Someone HURTS you or A member of your family? I think that is a question That we all have to ASK ourselves In this YEAR OF MERCY=2016 “A YEAR OF MERCY” as declared By Pope Francis ARE you ready to respond with MERCY and COMPASSION? And exactly-what IS the difference between the two? “Go and LEARN the meaning Of the words-'I declare MERCY-not sacrifice'” Matthew 9:13 Compassion involves an AWARENESS Of someone's suffering-and MERCY requires FORGIVENESS Of the person or people Who actually caused the hurt In any case-to really RESPOND To someone-we need to be- COMPASSIONATE to their situation And we NEED to walk a mile In their shoes And IF they are someone Who caused us to hurt- We need to FORGIVE them FOR OUR OWN SAKE-as well as theirs “As a Father has compassion On his children So the Lord has compassion On those who fear him” Psalm 103:13 “In a surge of anger I hid him from you For a moment But with EVERLASTING KINDNESS I will have compassion On you Says the Lord your REDEEMER” Isaiah 54:8 So you feel COMPASSION For the person But are you willing to FORGIVE? Are you willing to RESPOND With MERCY to the individual? In this year of 2016 THIS YEAR OF MERCY Our CHRISTIANITY compels us To say “YES” Compassion can only happen IF we have a mind and a heart That is willing to forgive And NOT seek revenge Then we can FEEL the MERCY Then we can forgive -BOTH- Mercy and compassion- NEED to live in our hearts The HEART of Christianity Is MERCY Just take a look At the living/dying Christ-hanging on the cross FOR YOU AND FOR ME So take a look at Christ A good LONG LOOK And ask yourself again AM I willing to forgive others As Christ has forgiven me? Compassion-mercy-and FORGIVENESS Is the heart of Christianity “And forgive us our debts- As we also have forgiven our debtors- ….....” Matthew 6:12 “For if you FORGIVE other people WHEN they sin against you- Your heavenly Father- Will also forgive you” Matthew 6:14 LET IT BE-AMEN! Robert P, Wallman 9-20-16 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Sr. Joyce Rupp, O.S.M.