September 13, 2026
“Forgive from your Heart”
Forgiveness is an essential condition for entering the kingdom of Heaven. What does it mean? Last week the message of the Holy Scriptures encouraged us to speak the truth with love, especially when someone sins against us.
Clearly communicating the occasion of mistreatment or perceived injustice with the one who has hurt us is necessary for correction and healing.
The next step is forgiveness. We can and should discuss what is right and wrong according to reason and according to what God has revealed and instructed, as He gives the commandments which are based on love of God and others. However, he also sees the misery of the consequences of our sinful actions, and desires to heal us and restore us because of his Divine Love.
The greatest attribute of God, greater than his Infinite Power, Wisdom, Majesty is His Mercy. St. Faustina affirmed this again and again through her recorded encounters with the Risen Jesus. Jesus lived a human life, entered our frail condition, and suffered and died for our sins…your sins and my sins to extend God’s Divine Mercy to us. Our sins are true offenses to God and violations against his Law of Love, but sees us as his own sons and daughters. He sees us as his creations which he made good and full of worth. Even sin does not make us less valuable in His eyes.
The Holy Spirit enlightens our hearts and minds to know what is pleasing to him and what is an offense, but The Heavenly Father chooses not to hold it against us forever. Rather he pardons us when we repent and ask to be pardoned, and thus, expects us not to hold the sins of others against them, but let go of the desire for vengeance and to offer the gift of forgiveness for the sake of healing our soul and theirs.
Lord, show us your love and mercy, as we put our trust in You.
Father Lima