A Word from Your Pastor - February 21 Second Sunday of Lent

Dear Parishioners:

We continue our journey through the Spiritual Works of Mercy.  The Spiritual Works of Mercy are acts of compassion by which we help our neighbors with their emotional and spiritual needs.

·       forgive offenses

·       bear wrongs patiently

These Spiritual Works of Mercy are not only other-directed.  (In fact, none of them are without advantage for ourselves.)  Although forgiveness of others and bearing wrongs that others do to us with patience seem to give others the advantage, indeed we are the primary beneficiaries of these spiritual acts.  We offer forgiveness to others and we are able to move beyond our hurts.  We endure what happens to us when others do us wrong, and we become stronger and save our strength from the useless effort to seek revenge.  We give one another room to grow and to become truly who we are when we choose to separate from self through forgiveness and long-suffering.

“To err is human, to forgive divine.”  Jesus’ first gift to His Apostles after the Resurrection was the Spirit that gave them authority to forgive in the name of Heaven, to bind and loose so that nothing earthly could ever stand in the way of Grace.  God’s Mercy is poured out on us when we open our hearts to forgive.

The Lord’s Prayer tells us how forgiveness is meant to flow:  “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”  The Lord’s own example in His Passion shows us how to bear wrongs patiently.  His sufferings show us the limits to which our human nature can go under the power of Love and Divine Grace.

Forgiving frees us from burdens that can hinder us on our journey, baggage that weighs us down.  Bearing wrongs patiently exercises the gifts of fortitude and patient endurance that reveal hidden strengths within us.

Others who are forgiven may repent when Mercy is shown them.  It gives them room to change.  When the Spirit opens their hearts, they become aware of their past wrongs and are given a glimpse into the nature of Christian life through the one who has forgiven them.  Similarly, when wrongs are borne patiently, the values of the one who bears them become more evident.  When we show strength of character through such action, the power of grace is shown.

Women of St. Timothy Parish attended the Columbus Catholic Women's Conference Yesterday.

See more pix at: https://sttimothyparishpix.shutterfly.com/pictures/1110#