As We Forgive Those Who Sinned Against Us

Sixth Sunday of Easter

17 May 2020

First reading                                                                        Acts 8:5-8, 14-17
Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralyzed or lame were cured. So there was great joy in that city.
Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Second reading                                                        1 Peter 3:15-18

Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.

Gospel                                                                     John 14:15-21

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”

Reflection

By Gary Tulabut

When I pray the Lord’s prayer and come to the part, “forgive us our sins…” there are few times that I can’t continue. These are the times when I am still in the process of forgiving, or worse when it is hard to forgive. Usually, I just continue with, “Lord help me to forgive.”

Early this year, I had a small dispute with a sibling about a small property. I will just make the long story short. I gave way with a heavy heart. No, I did not plan to hate my sib. I just tried my best to understand their situation. And I love the whole family and that will remain. 
But I did plan not to step in that small house again until I get a property of my own. 

And then, The Lord’s Prayer. 

Yes, I asked God to help me in the process of forgiving. I don’t know how, but that just remained my prayer. I ask God to help me totally forgive.

Then came last week’s Gospel reading. My prayer was answered as I read the Gospel to prepare my article for last Sunday. It says, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2)

I almost cried reading the verse.

It’s like God was telling me, “Detach yourself from worries of the world; reconcile with a brother/sister over that petty estate; and help me furnish your house in eternity instead.”

Today, in the Gospel, Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) And His greatest commandment is, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)

“As I have loved you” He said. How did He love us? While we were sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)


And there I was, concerned about a tiny house… of a loved one… in need.

Prayer

Lord, heal our wounds when we feel betrayed. May we always be reminded that what we lose here on earth out of love is nothing compared to our rewards in heaven. Help us to forgive. Amen!