This is a reflection created by Father Mario for the Inner City Deanery newsletters. If you have not got the newsletter to see the reflection, here it is below for you to read and reflect.
God Bless, ACFC Social Media Team :)
C.O.F.F.E.E. Greetings of peace, joy and love! # God is merciful and compassionate. He is always ready to find the lost, the least and the last. God has revealed this form of love through His Son, Jesus Christ. And so the title of this reflection: Christ Offers Forgiveness For Everyone Everywhere!
# God is pure mercy! One of the expressions of mercy is forgiveness. Jesus Christ, the Divine Mercy, has given us this Sunday three parables speaking about the effects of forgiveness! Commenting on these parables, Pope Francis writes "In these parables God is always presented as full of joy, especially when he pardons. In them we find the core of the Gospel and of our faith, because mercy is presented as a force that overcomes everything, filling the heart with love and bringing consolation through pardon..." (MIserecordiae Vultus, 9)
# Now you can ask yourself, which is easier or difficult; "to forgive" or "to ask forgiveness"???
# In the three parables presented in the Gospel this Sunday, let us focus on the third, about the lost son. For sure, as you are reading this article of mine, you are expecting new ideas from me. But now, I just would like you to answer these questions and make your own reflection and conclusion. + Where is the mother in the parable? What do you think will happen if the mother was there? + Why did the father allow his son to get the share of his inheritance and let him leave? + The elder son upon knowing what the father has done in welcoming his younger brother, got furious. Did the father convince him to come inside and welcome his brother? + Did the elder son forgive his younger brother? My friends who are reading this article, the parable is open ended - no conclusion. If you are in the story as mother, or father, or younger son or the elder son, how will you conclude the story?
# Our God is a God of surprises! He enjoys listening to us! What do you want to tell Him now? Close your eyes and say a little prayer....! He is also listening to you!
# May the Eucharist then, enable us to listen and experience the loving embrace of God, our Father! May it sharpen our hearing to his call and help us to delight in his embrace. And may it embolden us, the church, to act as the Good Shepherd acts, to risk everything to be loving and compassionate as we actively seek out those who most need to experience God's saving love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Quote: "God never get tired of forgiving us... often times we are the one who get tired of asking forgiveness from Him." (Evangelii Gaudium)
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