Hey there,
We all want to go to heaven.
And we all know that to get to heaven, we need to ask the Lord for forgiveness of our sins.
But even if we go to reconciliation regularly, there’s another part of forgiveness that may be holding us back.
It’s our forgiveness of those who have wronged us.
It’s such an important part of our salvation that it’s included in The Lord’s Prayer.
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done,
on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
But what exactly is forgiveness?
You’ve probably been told a time or two to “forgive and forget.” But some transgressions are hard to forget.
And it’s not easy to forgive someone who isn’t even sorry, yet that’s exactly what the world expects of us.
It’s easy for us to become discouraged if we feel we can’t live up to these expectations about forgiveness. But the forgiveness that the Lord expects of us is not the same as what society tells us.
Genuflect is here to help us better understand Catholic forgiveness so we can all do a better job of forgiving our trespassers. We clarify what Catholic forgiveness is and is not; how the Holy Spirit and Saints can help; and prayers for forgiving.
So we can make sure our forgiveness of others won’t keep us from heaven.
Keep Believing-
Katy Barrilleaux
Founding Editor, Genuflect
genuflect: sponsor
genuflect: resources
What Forgiveness is And Isn’t
There’s a lot of misunderstanding about what forgiveness is. Anthony Destefano explains what forgiveness is … and what it is not. He also explains how not forgiving others can cause more damage to yourself. You don’t want to skip this one!
Forgiveness | Catholic Exchange
When Forgiveness Seems Impossible
To be honest, we’ve all probably been there. Someone has hurt us, or continually hurts us. And the thought of forgiveness is difficult. Cerith Gardiner shares her personal struggle and a reminder that forgiveness is a process.
When Forgiving Someone Seems Impossible | Aleteia
3 Ways to Forgive
If you tend to hold on to a grudge, this one’s for you. Here are three ways to forgive, freeing yourself from the anger and resentment.
Holding Onto a Grudge? 3 Ways to Free Yourself From Resentment & Help Your Heart Forgive | ChurchPOP
Forgiveness And Justice
Father Dave answers the question of whether we can forgive someone and still want justice. You may find his answer a little surprising.
Can we Forgive Someone While Still Wanting Justice? | Busted Halo
The Saint of Forgiveness
Saint Maria Goretti is known for being the saint of young people, chastity, and purity … and she is also the patron saint of forgiveness. With her dying breath, she forgave the attacker who took her life. She is an example of what
Saint Maria Goretti: Forgiveness Eluding You? | Catholic 365
Forgiving Like Saints
There’s a lot we can learn from the Saints. And forgiveness is no exception. Here, Father Joseph Esper shares several examples of Saints forgiving those who wronged them.
Learning to Forgive Through The Saints | Catholic Exchange
A Chaplet For Forgiveness
When forgiveness is difficult, prayer can help. Here is a chaplet that is designed to help.
A Chaplet For The Mercy to Forgive Another | My Catholic Life
genuflect: bonus
Inspiration on Your Desktop And Phone
Click below to download this week’s free inspirational wallpaper for your desktop and your phone. Or download one of the previous wallpapers.
Download for Desktop Download for Phone
genuflect: sharing
Please use these buttons to share this issue of Genuflect with your friends, family, and followers who may be interested. Thank you!
Photo by Everton Vila on Unsplash
