A book of prayers to the Holy Face of Jesus
The Power to Forgive
Forgiveness Begins At The Foot Of The Cross. Forgive Others. Forgive Yourself. Be Forgiven. Look Up!
The Power To Forgive.
We look at forgiveness as a concession, as a compromise.
How can there be Power in compromise, and in mercy and forgiveness?
When we by our own power, grant mercy and forgiveness to another, then we are forgiven — “forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
That Power, that ability to forgive, helps wipe our own slate clean, and effectively purifies the soul.
Some of us have been seriously wronged. Seriously harmed or violated by another! Some have even done great harm to others or even to ourselves! They carry the heavy burden of anger or of guilt.
By Forgiving others and even ourselves through sincere confession, we “unload” these burdens, so we can spread our wings and free the spirit!
The evil one’s greatest weapons are fear, anger, and guilt. Forgiveness wipes out all of these weapons. That is Real Power! The Power to Forgive. That is why we forgive others. That is why we confess our own sins.
We have to “exact” that power, by forgiving others, by asking God’s forgiveness, and yes, even by forgiving ourselves.
Some of us feel they have been forgiven by God, but can’t seem to forgive themselves! My Friend, I am here to tell you that is a form of pride and arrogance. Think about it! Your sin is “never” greater than God’s mercy! You need to “Release Yourself” from your own guilt and have the Power to fully accept God’s mercy. This is why a sincere and contrite confession is so important!
We “regain” God’s good Grace, and we “recover” the Power to forgive others! And the Evil One no longer Binds us! The “Power” to Forgive!
So we need to follow the example of Christ! Christ Could have declared himself King, and no nation or army could contest him! He had the power to make minions of us all!
Yet, out of love for the father and for humanity, he gave all, and then at his weakest moment, and in sheer agony, he forgave his enemy!
“Father forgive them. They know not what they do!” WOW! It takes Real Strength to do that! The Power To Forgive…to Forgive even your enemy!
So forgiving those who wronged us and yes shedding the ball and chain of guilt by forgiving yourself, is needed and necessary! Christ’s example should make that process easier! In fact pray for the mercy of others and save our own souls in the process as the Blessed Mother did in Fatima: “Oh. My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell! Lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy!”
And remember the story of the adulterous woman in John 8:7-11:
“But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, ‘He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. Straightening up, Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.'”
