June 22, 2023
Thursday for Week Eleven for Ordinary Time
Readings for Today
Saint Paulinus of Nola, Bishop—Memorial Wey No Be Must
Saints John Fisher, Bishop and Martyr, and Thomas More, Martyr—Memorial Wey No Be Must
Listen for English
“If una forgive other people di wrong wey dem do, una Father for heaven go forgive una. But if una no forgive other people, una Father too no go forgive di wrong wey una do.” Matthew 6:14–15
Di way our Lord dey urge us again and again to forgive really dey amaze person. Plenty part of Jesus’ Sermon on di Mount, wey we don dey read throughout this week, dey continually call us to show other people mercy and forgive dem. And for di passage above, wey come from di end of today Gospel, Jesus tell us wetin go happen if we no listen to wetin E dey urge us to do.
Dis passage na something like extra part wey dem add to di “Our Father” prayer wey come just before am. Di Our Father prayer get seven things wey we ask God for, and one of dem na “forgive us di wrong wey we do, as we dey forgive people wey do us wrong.” E good make we notice say, as soon as Jesus teach us dis prayer with di seven things wey we ask for, E come stress one of dem again by repeating am, as we see for di passage wey dem quote above. Dis extra emphasis suppose make us sure say dis request na serious matter.
At first, Jesus simply tell us to pray for forgiveness “as we dey forgive.” But after that, E make am clear say if we fail to do so, we too no go receive forgiveness. This suppose really move us to do everything we fit do to forgive other people completely, from di deepest part of our hearts.
Who you need to forgive? Sometimes, to forgive person fit be something wey dey confuse us. Forgiveness dey confuse us when wetin we dey feel no match di decision wey we willingly make. E dey happen often say, even when we don decide for inside our heart to forgive another person, we still dey feel anger towards dem. But these feelings wey no dey in order no suppose stop us, and we no suppose allow dem make us doubt wetin we need to do. First of all, forgiveness na something wey we choose with our will. Na decision wey we make with prayer, to tell another person say we no dey hold their sin against dem. Forgiveness no mean say we dey pretend say dem no commit any sin. Instead, if dem no commit any sin, forgiveness no go dey necessary. So, di very act of forgiving person still mean say we acknowledge di sin wey need forgiveness.
When you choose to forgive another person, and your feelings no follow di decision immediately, continue to forgive dem for your heart. Pray for dem. Try to change di way you dey think about dem. No continue to dwell on di pain wey dem cause you. Instead, think about their dignity as person, di love wey God get for dem, and di love wey you must continue to grow for dem. Forgive, forgive, and forgive again. No ever stop, and no ever tire to do this act of mercy. If you do this, you fit even discover say, as time dey go, your feelings and strong emotions go begin match di decision wey you don make.
Today, reflect on any anger wey still remain for your heart. Face those feelings by freely choosing, with all your heart, to forgive di person wey you dey vex with. Do am now, later today, tomorrow, and continue like that. Fight against anger and bitterness by using your own act of forgiveness to overcome dem, and you go see say God go begin free you from di heavy load wey lack of forgiveness dey put on person.
My Lord wey dey forgive, You dey offer me forgiveness wey complete, and You dey call me make I do di same for other people. I dey pray make Your forgiveness dey for my life. I dey sorry for my sin, and I dey beg for Your mercy. As my own return for dis holy gift, I promise You today say I go forgive everybody wey don sin against me. I especially forgive di people wey I still dey vex with. Free me from dis anger, my dear Lord, so dat I go fit receive all di benefits of Your mercy for my life. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Meditations on Scripture for Ordinary Time
Saints for Today –
Saint Paulinus of Nola, Bishop
Saints John Fisher, Bishop and Martyr, and Thomas More, Martyr
