Our Holy Fathers and Archbishops of Alexandria; Athanasius (373) and Cyril (444)
Read
1 Thessalonians 5:14-23; Luke 17:3-10
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
I am the eldest of three sons who were born within four years. When we were boys, we fought with each other. It was usually over some wrong done to us whether real or perceived. Our parents were very good at trying to teach us to love and forgive each. We learned to endure each other for a period of time and then, unfortunately, with all that pent up unforgiveness, would let loose. Dad and Mom called it card-stamping—collecting all these wrongs, and then once the card was full, we cashed in. As we matured, with their continued teaching, we learned an important lesson that our Lord teaches and St. Paul echoes—forgiveness.
When our brother or sister sins against us, we need to bring to their attention in a charitable manner to their action and its harm. As our Lord states, if they repent, then we forgive. How often? Every time. This is clear teaching. St. Paul states this teaching as love believing all things, hoping all things, enduring all things (see 1 Cor 13:7).
We understand here that love and forgiveness are definitely related. Both of them are not emotional responses. Rather, both of them are decisions of the will — one to give myself to another and receive the other person — the other to restore that love and build upon it.
Have we stopped loving someone? Do we have unforgiveness toward anyone? His grace is enough for us! Ask for it to strengthen you and make that decision to love and to forgive. Do it once, do it twice, do it a third time, and it becomes easier. We love because He has first loved us (see 1 John 4:19). We forgive because He forgave us!
NOTE: Due to an error yesterday, our reflection was not sent out. We apologize for this missed reflection. We will try to rectify it in the next few days.