BETTER=NOT BITTER

BETTER-NOT BITTER

 

MERCY is important to

This life-and IF we expect

To receive mercy from God=

For our transgressions

 

We NEED to expect-to GIVE

It to others for theirs

 

“For you have said-

‘My KINDNESS is established FOREVER’-

In heaven you have CONFIRMED your faithfulness”                                                                           Psalm 89:3

 

MERCY is an EXTREMELY important topic today

For ALL Christians-and especially for Catholics-

FOLLOWING the EXTRAORDINARY JUBILEE of MERCY

Last year-

As declared by Pope Francis

 

HOW can we really be

A TRUE Christian-or a true Catholic

IF we don’t forgive

 

As Jesus FORGIVES-and if we don’t

PRAY as Jesus prays?

 

BE BETTER-not bitter=FOLLOW the

EXAMPLE that Christ=our model gave

 

Peter asked Jesus=How many times

Should we forgive our brothers and sisters?

“UP to 7 times”

 

Surely a GENEROUS amount

 

“Jesus answered-

‘I tell you-NOT seven times-but-

Seventy-seven times’”                                                                                                    Matthew 18:22

 

“And FORGIVE us our debts

As we also have FORGIVEN

Our debtors”                                                                                                               Matthew 6:12

 

 

And THEN on his death bed=

He forgave us ALL=for the position

We all put him in

 

“Jesus said-‘Father forgive them

For they do NOT KNOW

What they are doing’”                                                                                                        Luke 23:34

 

So HOW can we be a true CHRISTIAN-

A true Catholic=and not forgive

As Christ himself did

 

BE BETTER=not bitter!=BE-

A BETTER version of yourself

 

FORGIVENESS is the DOOR that OPENS

Up to HEALING=NOT only

For others=but for OURSELVES

 

Forgiveness is the GIFT

That we GIVE OURSELVES=

The FREEING up of hearts and minds

From the past pain and injustice

DONE to us

 

It does not mean

That we CONDONE the actions

Of those who have hurt us

 

But it does mean-

SINCE God has ALREADY forgiven us

The least that we can do

Is APPLY that same forgiveness to others

 

EVERY DAY=is the day=for

GIVING another MERCY

That God gives us-and

WE GIVE OURSELVES

 

“REMEMBER Lord-

Your great mercy and LOVE

For they are FROM of old”                                                                                             Psalm 25:6

 

“WHOEVER conceals their sins

Does not prosper

 

But the ONE who confesses

And renounces them=FINDS MERCY”                                                                                          Proverbs 28:13

 

Dear Lord=your forgiveness=to us=

And ours to another and ourselves

IS the ONLY PATH to FREEDOM

 

It makes us BETTER PEOPLE=as we become FREE

And let GO of the bitter

 

In Jesus’ name, we PRAY

 

Robert P. Wallman

5-10-17

 

 

Ps         INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by  Kristin Armstrong