“When you forgive, you in no way change the past — but you sure do change the future.”
~ Bernard Meltzer
Would you like to
be frustrated?
be angry?
be irritable?
develop ulcers?
get high blood pressure?
become a recluse?
If the answer to any of those questions is “Yes”, then refuse to forgive. For, in refusing to forgive, we hold in all the thoughts and feelings that we have. Our anger toward another person festers. Our unwillingness to forgive taints our personalities and affects our bodies. The festering leads to a host of physical and emotional ills.
If, on the other hand, you would like to
be confident,
be happy,
be content,
be physically well,
all you need to do is forgive. Forgiveness heals a multitude of ills personally, emotionally, and physically. Forgiveness makes us whole and helps us to look to the future with confidence and hope.
Today is Friday. This is the day that Catholics are asked to reflect upon the passion and death of Jesus Christ, since He was crucified on a Friday. Jesus was the model of forgiveness. He forgave completely, knowing that the forgiveness that we needed would only be consummated on the cross. Yet, He was willing to go to that great length because He loved us and truly desired to forgive us. If He did not do that for us, our future would look very bleak because the gates of heaven would remain closed to us. He made our futures bright again.
His forgiving act is something all of us need to reflect upon and to emulate in our own lives. In forgiving, we can truly change the future for ourselves and for others.
FAITH ACTION: Is there someone who needs your forgiveness? Are you willing to make the move and forgive that person today?