Sunday Wisdom

Today’s gospel is all about forgiveness and mercy. “Should you not have pity on your fellow servant, as I the Lord had pity on you?” (Matthew 18:33)
Our dear friend Peter started it all with a very simple question, Lord how many times must I forgive? Jesus then shared a parable and we hear of a King who was moved with compassion because one of his servants begged for more time to pay off his debt. The problem was the man who was forgiven refused to forgive and show mercy to his fellow man, which is exactly the kind of mercy our Lord calls us to. We are called to show mercy, compassion, forgiveness and gratitude.

If only the servant whose debt was forgiven had been grateful enough to practice the same kindness he would not have been handed over to be tortured and pay his debt in full. Unfortunately we can often be like this very servant, failing to be grateful for the mercy and compassion shown to us.

Today, let us imitate Jesus and not only forgive others when they hurt us but show them compassion in giving them a second chance. God forgives us again and again and He never holds our sins against us but instead wipes our soul clean. Let us ask our Heavenly Father to strengthen us in showing mercy towards others.

Thanks for stopping by!
Until next time, be blessed, Renae

Today’s gospel teaches us the importance of lovingly correcting each other’s behavior. A healthy relationship always involves honestly. Wouldn’t you be grateful if someone helped you change a bad habit?  I personally would want to know if I was hurting someone. And yet, being directly honest with one another can be challenging. But guess what folks, Jesus never promised us an easy life. Then again, how can we tell if someone is trying to help or just being a gossip?

Gossip can be defined as is a story about people that is designed to hurt, not rescue, and spread among people anonymously.

How can I recognize a gossiper from a compassionate person just trying to help?
Well, first ask yourself is what you are hearing designed to help or hurt?  
Does there seem to be a sincere desire to for accurate truth about all involved?
Did the person talk directly to the all involved as Jesus told us to do in today’s gospel?
And finally, what if the stories you are hearing were about you?

Jesus asked His followers to judge based on what they saw and heard from their own eyes and ears, this alone can help us avoid gossiping. Jesus calls us to be compassionate and understanding.  Even if we have to walk away from the situation we should do so with love and respect.  After all remember how Jesus treated the Gentiles and the tax collectors?  Shouldn’t we do the same?

Thanks for stopping by!
Until next time, be blessed, Renae

I just love Peter, don’t you? He gives us so much hope because even as close as he was walking with Jesus, he was still learning. How is it that one minute Jesus is singing Peter’s praise because of his profound spiritual awareness and the next minute is rebuking him for thinking in worldly terms. Isn’t that the way our Christian prayer life is, filled with ups and downs, highs and lows or desolations and consolations? Sometimes we get it right and other times we fall short.

Just like Peter you and I are showered with amazing grace and unfathomable mercy each and every day. Remember we are all children of God and His light shines in all of us, yes, God forever dwells in you and me and He will never abandon us. He will take care of all our needs, even when we fail to embrace the cross and fail to trust in Him.

Peter shows us that it is okay to fail and it is okay to try again. Peter eventually gets it. Right? He embraces the cross with a love for the Lord that goes so deep, he too is crucified for our faith. Jesus will never abandon us and like Peter, we will eventually understand the beauty of the cross. So if you are a little slow like Peter, have faith, never give up and keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the one who knows you, understands you and loves you unconditionally.

Thanks for stopping by!
Until next time, be blessed, Renae

Today’s gospel is all about how the good and evil of our world must exist together until the end of time.  If you know anything about farming I am sure today’s parable makes sense to you.  Pulling weeds can also damage the good crop, but in this parable the Lord is also showing His mercy.  As Christians, we strive to be the wheat, but let’s face it, sometimes we fall short and unfortunately represent the weeds.  No, we are not intrinsically evil, but God reminds us that we are not perfect, and that we need His Mercy, which is life-giving and endless.  This gives us hope because we too can change and become part of a richer soil that bears much fruit.

So as we continue to lift each other up in prayer, let us remain humble, filled with gratitude, and always in awe of the Mercy of our God.

Thanks for stopping by!
Until next time, be blessed, Renae

“God so loved the world that God gave God’s only Son.” – Jn. 3:16

Today’s gospel is a familiar one and yet the message of truth, love, hope and mercy is always comforting.

As John reflects in the gospel, God showed his love for us and his faithfulness by sending us Jesus so that all who believe in Him might have eternal life. God was not trying to trick us. Jesus was not sent to condemn the world but to save it. Jesus through His most merciful and sacred heart continues to call countless people in our world to be a witness of God’s love.

If we encourage one another, trust in the mercy of Christ and live in peace, God will never abandon us, not even in our darkest moments. While we always need to hold fast the truth and remain faithful in prayer, we do so knowing that God is asking us to put aside any differences and bring more love into the world. With all violence and hatred it seems elementary that we would want to foster peace, offer hope and remove all division. But we are human, broken and weak so we must lean on the faithfulness of a God who loves us and longs to be in relationship with us.

God our Father, thank you for sending your Son to save us from ourselves.

Thanks for stopping by!
Until next time, be blessed, Renae