70 X 7 (see Mt 18:22)

Friday, January 16, 2009
Saint of the Day

Hebrews 4:1-5, 11
View Readings Psalm 78:3-4, 6-8 Mark 2:1-12
Similar Reflections

70 X 7 (see Mt 18:22)

"When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralyzed man, 'My son, your sins are forgiven.' " —Mark 2:5

When Jesus saw the roof being dismantled, He spoke of the forgiveness of sins. When He saw paralysis, He thought of forgiveness. When He hung on the cross, He said: "Father, forgive them" (Lk 23:34). Jesus clearly has forgiveness on His mind.

If we have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16), we also will be preoccupied with forgiveness. When we watch or read objectionable material, we will pray: "Father, forgive us." When we feel sick, we'll go to Confession before going to the doctor. When the phone rings, the word "forgiveness" will be on the tip of our tongues.

How many times have you said the word "forgiveness" today? Since forgiveness is the solution to our problems, we should be frequently telling the good news that forgiveness is available to all through Jesus' blood shed on Calvary. If we're not speaking of forgiveness, we're not dealing with the heart of our problems but speaking only on a superficial level.

Receive forgiveness; give forgiveness; proclaim forgiveness.

Prayer: Father, "forgive us the wrong we have done" (Mt 6:12).
Promise: "Let us strive to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall, in imitation of the example of Israel's unbelief." —Heb 4:11
Praise: When tempted to be judgmental or unforgiving, Linda reminds herself of her gravest sins that have been forgiven by the All-Holy One.