Gospel
Jesus said to his disciples:
“In praying, do not babble like the pagans,
who think that they will be heard because of their many words.
Do not be like them.
Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
“This is how you are to pray:
‘Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.’
“If you forgive others their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others,
neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”
In this wonderful text we find the familiar and constant prayer that should be on our lips when we wake up and when we go to sleep.
It is our primary and first petition to God. It doesn’t exclude other prayers for many of our prayers are not seeking relief but seeking relationship and focus on our spirit so we are further aligned and closer to God in our thoughts. Like the Rosary where we recall the events in the life of Jesus and his church. The prayer is for our sake. For us to grow spiritually as we recall major events between God and his people.
And that is a good thing.
But did you notice of all the prayer’s parts, the one Jesus stressed and explained to them was that we are required to forgive all transgressions or we will not be forgiven either.
Forgiveness is huge. Holding grudges or resentment is in conflict with the love and charity Jesus taught us. Our very spirit is darkened when we fail to forgive. The object of our anger or resentment is not hurt. But our spirit is.
Our creator forgives unceasingly when we sin against him. Again and again, he absolves us and allows us to return to grace and love.
Forgiveness comes with gratitude for blessings and being loved even while we were yet sinners.
Forgiveness heals us for it allows us to be charitable and be like the Father.
In return we will find greater peace and joy and love. Gifts we are given and gifts we are to share.
Deacon Tony Pynes 
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