A Forgiving HeartSeptember 15, 2020

"Cling together with binds of charity, esteeming one another, helping one another, bearing with one another in Christ Jesus."
~Angela Merici, Foundress of the Company of St. Ursula

The Scriptures for Sunday, Sept. 14 focused not just on forgiveness, but on a forgiving heart.

"Master, how many times should I forgive?"
Jesus: "70x7"
Gospel of Matthew, 18:21

-Each of us knows we have someone in mind with whom we need to engage in a process of forgiveness , but sometimes it is more difficult to forgive ourselves.

-During this new week of life God has given us, we may want to spend a few moments with the following paths to the PROCESS of 70x7 forgiveness...of self and others.

Prayer and Reflection:

Scriptural Prayer
Read Matthew 18:21-35 several times.

-Who are you in the story? Read it several times; playing the part of each person: Peter, Jesus, The King, The Servant.

-Pay attention to how you are feeling as well as what you are thinking.

Reflection
-Authors/Websites:

-When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times, Pema Chodron

-Forgiveness, Iyanla Vanzant

-No Future Without Forgiveness, Desmond Tutu

-You Tube, Ted Talk, Brené Brown, Vulnerability

-Holding your hands over your heart, breathe deeply, 5 times, inhaling peace, exhaling fear.

-Continue breathing, inhaling/exhaling compassion for yourself.

-If you are able, inhale/exhale compassion for the person who has wronged you.

Reflection
We are the authors of our lives.
We write our own daring endings.
We craft love from heartbreak,
compassion from shame,
grace from disappointment,
courage from failure.
Showing up is our power.
Story is our way home.
Truth is our song.
We are the brave and brokenhearted.
We are rising strong

-Brené Brown, Rising Strong

Sister Beverly Anne LoGrasso