October 15 - Forgiveness

SCRIPTURE- Matthew 6:12“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”REFLECTION- Sr. KathleenMUSIC- "Perceptive" by Ravndala- "Taste and See" (Ps 34) by St. Francis de Sales Parish Choir, Ajax, ON- "2-Minute Prayer Background" by Harrison Dano- "Kyrie Eleison" by Dan Gibson’s SolitudesNOTES-Forgiveness is not a feeling.  It's a choice.  And one Jesus tells us to do.It does not minimize or reduce the damage done to you.  It does not mean you need to be in a relationship with that person.It does not mean there will be no consequences for their actions.Forgiveness does mean you are letting them go to God, and in the Name of Jesus, who died for everyone's sins, you are forgiving them in His Name.  All of this is done in the context of prayer:1. Call to mind someone you need to forgive. Or God may bring someone to mind.2. What, specifically, did they do?  Specifics is very important, not generalizations.  For example, "they hurt me" is a generalization.  How exactly they hurt you, is the specific.  There may be a long list of behaviors you need to forgive them for, name them one by one, (you may want to write them down)  or it may be just one action. You don't want to re-live the offense, just name it   3. Then say aloud, or quietly:Lord Jesus, in YOUR NAME, I forgive Name, for name the offenses, and I bring them to the foot of your cross to deal with as you will. I release them of all my anger, bitterness, expectations, and any other negative feelings that keep me bound,  and I ask you to set me free.  AMEN.     PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.