Return to flip book view

Message GodForgivesCan I?GodForgivesCan I?03-0413 WAU cover 10/30/06 11:21 AM Page 13

The Word Among Us Partners7115 Guilford Drive, Suite 100Frederick, Maryland 21704www.waupartners.org© 2003 The Word Among Us PressAll rights reserved.Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1993 and 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.The Word Among Us Partners is the prison ministry of The Word Among Us, Inc. It was established in 1989 in response to our growing awareness of the need to support Catholic prisoners in their faith. The Partners’ ministry raises funds to donate spir-itual materials to prisoners, including The Word Among Us mag-azine. By reflecting on the daily Mass readings, the magazine helps prisoners to grow in their personal relationship with God, love for prayer, the Eucharist, and Scripture. For more informa-tion, log onto our website at www.waupartners.org

1Dear Friend, ) Do you ever feel a need to be forgiven? ) Do you ever struggle with deep hurts or anger?) Do you find it hard to say, “I forgive you” or “Please forgive me”? ) Do you want to experience more joy and freedom?If you’ve answered “yes” to any of these questions, you should take a look at what God says about forgiveness.We all find it hard sometimes to give and receive forgive-ness. But when you’re behind bars, you’re especially vulnerable to guilt and anger. Shame and vengeance can rise up in you so quickly that it may seem impossible to offer mercy and forgive-ness, let alone receive it. Unless you confront the negative forces in your heart, though, unforgiveness can destroy you.The good news is that you don’t have to fight this battle on your own! Jesus is at your side, ready to help you experience God’s forgiveness for yourself. As his love and mercy soften your heart, you’ll be empowered to forgive even those who have hurt you the most.This pamphlet will help you to understand and receive the promise of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In it you’ll find fourteen short reflections. Each one is followed by an action step—a suggestion for putting the thought into practice—and a prayer to get you talking with God. You can focus on one reflection a day for two weeks, or move at your own pace. Each reflection makes just a few simple points. But don’t speed read! You’ll get the most out of this pamphlet if you take time to listen for God’s special message to you. God has so many good things in store for you! Ask him to help you receive them as you read and reflect on these scriptural truths. We’ll be praying for you. Angela M. BurrinDirector, The Word Among Us Partners

2Day 1“I Forgive You”Just three little words, but how powerful they are! Theyexpress generosity toward those who have hurt us, and a desire tosee wounded relationships healed. Forgiveness and repentanceopen our hearts and allow God’s love to flow freely in us. Forgiveness is a great gift, as a death row prisoner namedMichael has come to see: I have been forced to face my own mortality. I have beenblessed with time to try to set things right and make mypeace with God. I have been given time to ask and seek for-giveness from those whom I have hurt. I have been giventime for my own hurts to be healed and to forgive thosewho have hurt me. Don’t count on tomorrow. Cherish and live each day as ifit were your last. Live the life that God has given to you toits fullest potential. And live each day that God has givenyou for his glory. Don’t forget Jesus’ teaching about the twogreatest commandments: “You shall love the Lord your Godwith all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all yourmind. . . . You shall love your neighbor as yourself”(Matthew 22:37, 39). Your next encounter with yourneighbor may be your last. Seek forgiveness and forgivethose who have hurt you. Not tomorrow—today! Repentto God for your past transgressions and live each day to fur-ther his glory. Take Action!When you hear the word “forgiveness,” what thoughts cometo mind? Do you consider it a blessing? Does it seem out of reach?Has anyone ever forgiven you—or refused to forgive you—forsomething you did? What was your reaction? Start a journal torecord your thoughts about forgiveness.06-1540 WAU_Cov2 11/02/06 2:56 PM Page 2 (Black plate)

3Pray! God, I ask you to be with me as I read the Scriptures and thinkand pray about forgiveness. Help me to be open to your will formy life. ■Day 2Two Who Forgave Maybe you’re familiar with the Old Testament story of Joseph.(You’ll find it in Genesis 37-45.) His brothers were so jealous ofhim that they dropped him into a pit and left him to die. God hadother plans. Joseph was rescued and became the right-hand man to thepharaoh of Egypt. When a great famine struck, he was the one incharge of the country’s abundant food supply. What did he dowhen his brothers came pleading for help? Joseph offered them notonly food but also the gift of forgiveness! He held no resentmentin his heart. Of course, Jesus is the best teacher and model of forgiveness.Although he preached in just a few towns and cities, his call torepentance and the message of his Father’s love changed the world!Jesus told us to forgive fully—seventy times seven times, if nec-essary (Matthew 6:14-15; 18:21-35; John 8:3-11). He taught us notto retaliate against those who hurt or persecute us, but to love them(Matthew 5:44). He said not to condemn or hold anger against any-one, but to replace our resentment with love. In short, Jesus calledus to love others as much as he has loved us (John 15:12). Jesus was so filled with his Father’s love that he offered for-giveness and salvation to everyone he met. One woman was somoved by his mercy that she crashed a dinner party to express hergratitude by kissing Jesus’ feet and anointing him with costly per-fume (Luke 7:36-50). A tax collector named Zacchaeus returnedall the money he had stolen—and more besides—because he expe-rienced Jesus’ compassion (Luke 19:1-10). At Calvary, Jesus offered the priceless gift of forgiveness. Oneof the two thieves crucified with him acknowledged Jesus’ inno-cence and his own guilt and said, “Jesus, remember me when you06-1540 WAU_Cov2 11/02/06 2:56 PM Page 3 (Black plate)

4come into your kingdom.” Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, todayyou will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:42-43). What apowerful reminder that all we have to do is acknowledge our sinsand ask Jesus for forgiveness!Take Action! Open your Bible and read the following Scripture passagesabout people who sought and were granted forgiveness: Genesis37-45, John 8:3-11, Luke 7:36-50, Luke 19:1-10 and Luke23:42-43. In your journal write down your answers to the ques-tions listed below. If you have the chance, share your thoughts andanswers with someone else.✦ Pick one person from these Bible readings who knew theirneed for forgiveness. What do you think motivated themto change their life? ✦Who do you most easily identify with, and why?✦Why do you think Joseph was able to forgive his brothers and not hold resentment?✦Why do you think Jesus opened heaven to the repentantthief? Put yourself in the place of the thief. What wouldJesus say to you? Pray! Jesus, you are so loving. I want to love as you loved, but I knowmy heart is often hard and unforgiving. Please soften my heartwith your love. ■Day 3Forgiveness and the “Logic of Love”Logic is a wonderful gift from God that helps us to reasonsoundly and make right choices. But for some things—like for-giving others from the heart—reason alone is not enough. For thiswe need the “logic of love.” 06-1540 WAU_Cov2 11/02/06 2:56 PM Page 4 (Black plate)

5Mother Teresa understood this logic and how it works.“Once you know you have hurt someone, be the first to say‘sorry,’” she said. And then she explained what makes this reac-tion possible: “We cannot forgive unless we know that we needforgiveness, and forgiveness is the beginning of love.”To live by the “logic of love,” we must know God who is love.This is crucial, because the ability to love and forgive is first andforemost something that God does in us. God is love (1 John4:16), and as we open up and say “yes” to him, we receive his loveand find ourselves able to share it with others. God is so great thathe makes possible even those things we think are impossible (Luke1:37)! If we live in God, we can forgive others as freely as Godhas forgiven us.Our relationship with God develops by the power of the HolySpirit. It takes us beyond human capabilities and gives us a sharein God’s divine nature. Baptism is our first step in this trans-forming process. Then, with every passing day of followingJesus, we grow in knowledge and understanding of the savingpower of God’s love. Gradually, as Pope John Paul II pointed out,“God’s forgiveness becomes in our hearts an inexhaustible sourceof forgiveness in our relationships with one another.”What are your thoughts about God? Do you think of him asa “cop in the sky,” or do you know him as a God of love, who caresabout you and is absolutely committed to renewing your life withhis love (Jeremiah 31:3; John 10:10)? Do you know that God has a wonderful plan in mind foryou and loves you too much to leave you the way you are(Jeremiah 29:14)? Take Action!Now slowly read the Scripture passages mentioned above. Asyou read, some of the words may “jump out” at you. This is thework of the Holy Spirit bringing these words to your attention.Write these verses in your journal. Talk to God about them. Thensit quietly, and wait to hear God’s still, small voice speaking to yourheart about how he wants you to walk with him today.Here is one more action step. If there is anyone to whom youneed to say “I’m sorry,” consider making a phone call or writinga letter.06-1540 WAU_Cov2 11/02/06 2:56 PM Page 5 (Black plate)

6Day 4Pray!Father, I thank you for creating me to know you and love you.Although I don’t always feel as though you love me, I know thatyou never stop loving me. Nothing can separate me from yourlove—nothing I have done or will ever do. ■Day 4“Father, Forgive Them”Jesus gave up his life because he “loves us and freed us fromour sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serv-ing his God and Father” (Revelation 1:5-6).The amazing thing is that this love comes not just from agood man but from God the Son! When Jesus was baptized byJohn the Baptist in the river Jordan, the Holy Spirit came uponhim, and the voice of God was heard saying, “This is my Son,the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:13-17,Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22). After receiving this affirmationby his Father and being filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus beganpreaching about the kingdom of God and healing all who cameto him.What thanks did Jesus receive for his good works and goodnews? After three years, he was falsely accused, scourged,crowned with thorns, and forced to carry his cross through thestreets of Jerusalem to the hill of Calvary. As he hung there,with nails piercing his hands and feet, he heard the crowdsmocking him and the religious leaders taunting him to displayhis power. Jesus didn’t deserve any of this, yet he prayed: “Father, for-give them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke23:34). He knew that “all have sinned and fall short of theglory of God” (Romans 3:23). He knew we needed a Savior.By his death on the cross, Jesus made it possible for us to beforgiven and brought back into a life-giving relationship withGod. Because this could not happen without some atoningpayment for our sins, Jesus took the pain upon himself. He06-1540 WAU_Cov2 11/02/06 2:56 PM Page 6 (Black plate)

7who was innocent paid the debt for us who are guilty. “He waswounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities;upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by hisbruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).Our sin made Jesus’ death necessary. We are responsible forthe death of God’s Son. What worst possible crime could therebe? But amazingly, Jesus now offers us eternal salvation—heaven—as a free gift. Of course, salvation isn’t ours until weaccept it. To do so, we must receive Jesus into our lives by faithand then lead a good life (Ephesians 2:8-10; James 2:17).As many men and women have discovered, being behind barsis no obstacle to living a holy life. Actually, incarceration can bean opportunity to get closer to God, says one prisoner, whosename is William:My friendship with Jesus has grown a lot over the past twoyears. Here in prison, I’ve had time to talk with God andask his forgiveness for all I’ve done wrong against him, myfamily, friends, and coworkers. I now feel more at ease withmyself. God seems to take care of my every need just in time. Take Action!Open your Bible and read the account of Jesus’ sufferingand death in the Gospel of St. Luke (Luke 22:47–23:56).Remember, you were in Jesus’ thoughts as he hung on thecross; he died to restore you to a right relationship with yourFather. Jesus wants to be an intimate part of your life. If youare ready to invite him in, pray the following prayer:Pray!Father, I am sorry for all the wrong things I have done. I turnfrom them now. (Tell God your sins.) Jesus, thank you for dyingon the cross and washing away all my sins so that I can have eter-nal life. Please come into my heart. Be my Savior and Lord. Fillme with your Holy Spirit and make me the person you want meto be. Amen. ■06-1540 WAU_Cov2 11/02/06 2:56 PM Page 7 (Black plate)

8Day 5God Is Eager to Forgive Jesus’ love is so great that we can barely begin to understandit: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so thateveryone who believes in him may not perish but may have eter-nal life” (John 3:16). God is so merciful that when we go to him,no bitterness, grudge, or resentment stops him from pouring outhis love. The parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) shows howmuch God loves and wants to forgive. It is a story of an ungrate-ful son who leaves home and squanders his inheritance. Every day,though, his father watches anxiously for his return. When the sonfinally reappears, the father runs to embrace him and showers himwith kisses. “He doesn’t even let the son apologize,” said Pope JohnPaul II. “Everything is forgiven. The intense joy of forgiveness,offered and received, heals seemingly incurable wounds, restoresrelationships, and firmly roots them in God’s inexhaustiblelove” (World Day of Peace).Like that welcoming father, God our Father is waiting for usto return to him. When we do, he runs to meet us with arms wideopen and his heart full of merciful love. What could be greaterthan knowing that God is always ready to forgive! But as a womannamed Patricia writes, this good news can be hard to believe:I was raised a Catholic, but I never really believed in myheart that God would allow his Son to be crucified so thatmy sins could be forgiven. Then one day while I sat in mycell, praying once again for God’s help, I started to thinkabout this “Jesus” person and to really try to understand.Somehow my “awakening” happened. I started believingin Jesus Christ and God like never before. Do you wonder about God’s forgiveness, too? Do you find ithard to believe that God has forgiven all your sins—even thoseyou consider unforgivable? Do you ever find yourself thinking,“My sins are too many, too horrible”?06-1540 WAU_Cov2 11/02/06 2:56 PM Page 8 (Black plate)

9Knowing God’s love for you will help you to know God’s for-giveness. This is true for all of us. Only by experiencing God’s per-sonal love can we come to forgive ourselves for all the evil andharm we have caused ourselves and others. God’s merciful lovecan transform us so that we can even say, “I love myself.” Take Action!Open your Bible and read the story of the prodigal son in Luke15:11-32. Then close your eyes, and imagine your heavenly Fatherputting his arms around you and saying, “Welcome home! I for-give you for all your sins—including the ones you think I can’tand won’t forgive.” Say aloud, “Father, I accept your forgiveness.” Take advantage of the sacraments that God has given us tostrengthen our faith and support our Christian life. Meet with apriest to confess all your sins, and receive the grace of theSacrament of Reconciliation. Pray!My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choos-ing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you,whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with yourhelp, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leadsme to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In hisname, my God, have mercy. Amen. (An Act of Contrition) ■Day 6The Burden of Guilt and Shame The sins of our past can place a tremendous burden of guilton us. We are weighed down by memories of the evil we havedone, the people we have hurt by our actions, the ruined lives andsevered relationships. A prisoner writes:I am incarcerated for crimes that “decent people” findincomprehensible. I was a child molester. In the eyes ofmany, especially other inmates with violent crimes, I am06-1540 WAU_Cov2 11/02/06 2:56 PM Page 9 (Black plate)

10viewed as the vilest of all, and this has caused me to believemyself “beyond redemption.” I struggle to accept God’s for-giveness. Flannery O’Connor, the Catholic novelist, wrote,“The central mystery of Christianity is that God would findhumanity worth dying for.” Only the truth of this state-ment keeps me going. Even when no one will forgive me,God does. Even when I fail in my own efforts to love myworst enemies as much as I love God, Jesus still intercedesfor me and cleanses me by his sacrifice.Only one remedy can overcome the plague of guilt: knowingthat God, who is love, loves us unconditionally! Jesus said, “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you”(John 15:9). No matter what we have done in our past, God is“merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in stead-fast love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6). Through the HolySpirit, God has poured his love into our hearts (Romans 5:5).There, in the depths of our being, we can experience a divineforgiveness that melts away guilt and shame. At any moment,we can turn to God and know his love and forgiveness. Hewants to pour out his mercy, and the only thing he looks for isa repentant heart.Anyone who feels crippled by guilt for sin needs to deal withthat guilt. Left to fester, it causes confusion and isolation. It willleave you bitter, defensive, and sapped of self-esteem. If you experience guilt, try to determine its source. Does itcome from unconfessed sins? Is it from Satan? If you havealready repented of your sins, chances are that Satan is seeking torob you of the joy and freedom that are your rightful heritage asa child of God. When the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins, he does not leaveus feeling condemned. The Spirit is always positive. Satan is alwaysnegative. God’s intent is to give life. Satan is the “accuser” and“thief” who “comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John10:10). He always tries to bring guilt, fear, and hopelessness.Take Action!Close your eyes and imagine Jesus dying on the cross for you.Now look into your heart to see if there are any sins for which you06-1540 WAU_Cov2 11/02/06 2:56 PM Page 10 (Black plate)

11still need to ask God’s forgiveness. Do it now! Accept God’s for-giveness and remember, when you bring your sins to him,Satan’s back is broken.If you haven’t ever been able to forgive yourself before, askJesus to help you do this now. If you can’t love yourself, ask Jesusto pour his peace and transforming love into your heart. Overtime, you’ll see a change in how you think about yourself.Remember: God is faithful. When his children ask for bread, henever hands them a stone (Matthew 7:9)! Pray!Holy Spirit, I am full of guilt and shame for the sins of my past.Please help me to know that in Christ I am forgiven. Thank you,Father, that you are pouring your transforming love into my heartso that I am able to forgive myself. ■Day 7Justice or Mercy? What do you want to receive—justice or mercy? Surely, we allwant mercy! The question is, what do we want for others? Are we ready togive them mercy, or do we insist on strict justice? Before youanswer, consider these strong and challenging words of Jesus:“With the judgment you make you will be judged, and the meas-ure you give will be the measure you get” (Matthew 7:2). The way we treat people is the way we will be treated by God.If we want mercy, we have to offer mercy to others. If wedemand that they receive an “eye for an eye”—justice and repay-ment for their sins and wrongs against us—then God will pro-nounce judgment on our own sins by that same standard. We willreceive exactly what we deserve. Is that what we really want? Let’s look at Jesus again. More than anyone else, he had a rightto seek retribution. Jesus should have been honored and respectedby all, not executed! But by his willing sacrifice on the cross, herevealed God’s desire to forgive even the worst sinners. 06-1540 WAU_Cov2 11/02/06 2:56 PM Page 11 (Black plate)

12St. Stephen, the first martyr, followed Jesus’ example. As he wasbeing stoned to death, he prayed: “Lord, do not hold this sinagainst them” (Acts 7:60). Stephen could have responded withanger and hatred, but he fixed his eyes on Jesus. He held onto hisfaith in a living God who commanded him to love in the face ofpersecution, slander, physical abuse, and even a violent death.Take Action!Take a look at your life, past and present. Make a list of the peo-ple you need to forgive—parents, spouse, siblings, teachers, for-mer friends, judges, prosecutors, or anyone who may have liedabout you or hurt or abused you. Now pray the following prayer:Pray!Father, I bring to you all the people who have hurt me. Tomy mind, they are guilty and deserve punishment. But I wantyour heart, Father, and so I choose to freely give the gift of myforgiveness even to those I don’t think deserve it. [Name eachperson individually.] Lord, I’m tearing up all the “IOUs” I’vebeen carrying around in my mind. I place them at the foot ofyour cross. ■Day 8Freely Give What You Have Freely Received Jesus taught us to forgive not just big offenses but even thesmallest of sins—over and over, if necessary (Matthew 18:21-22).We are to forgive freely, because we have been forgiven to a fargreater degree. Jesus illustrated this point by telling a parable about a king’smercy toward a servant who owed him an enormous sum ofmoney (Matthew 18:23-35). Faced with debtor’s prison, the ser-vant pleaded for time. The king was touched. He could have soldthe servant’s family into slavery, but instead he wrote off the debtcompletely. He chose mercy over what would have been a legalcourse of action.06-1540 WAU_Cov2 11/02/06 2:56 PM Page 12 (Black plate)

13But what did this servant do? When he ran into another ser-vant who owed him a very small amount, he grabbed him bythe throat, demanded immediate repayment, and had himthrown into prison. He forgot the mercy he himself hadreceived. The king wasn’t pleased! Hearing the news, herebuked the unforgiving servant and threw him into prison(Matthew 18:32-33).Like that king, God has written off the immense debt of sinthat each of us owes him. In justice, he could have condemnedus. Instead, God so wanted to forgive us that he sent hisbeloved Son to the cross to bear the punishment we deserved.God expects us to pass on this abundant mercy to others.Jesus said: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eyeand a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil-doer. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn theother also” (Matthew 5:38-39; see Leviticus 24:19-20). Will we treat other people with mercy or not? The choice isours.Take Action!Read the following sentence carefully: Is there still one personI find it impossible to forgive? Don’t be afraid to admit the truth. Godcan give you the grace—right now—to forgive. Ask Jesus for thegrace to help you forgive that person from the heart. Express yourdesire by cupping your hands in front of you and imagining thisperson in them. Release your hands with an opening and awaymotion—and as you do, “release” this person to the Lord.Pray!Jesus, I no longer hold anything against those who “owe” me.I release them completely to you. I choose mercy. Guard my heartso that I don’t take back what I have given you. ■06-1540 WAU_Cov2 11/02/06 2:56 PM Page 13 (Black plate)

14Day 9Obstacles to ForgivenessMercy is simple to understand, yet difficult to practice day today. In part, this is because society places a high value on individualrights and desires—often to the detriment of personal relation-ships. But there are many other reasons why we find it difficultto forgive. Here are two of the most common.I’m waiting for an apology. “He hurt me and he’s not sorry!” “I’llforgive her—but only after she apologizes.” Have you ever felt thisway? Someone has said or done something hurtful or cruel—per-haps on purpose—and shows no regret. It may seem impossibleor even unwise to forgive such an act. But this wasn’t Jesus’approach. When confronted with the strongest hatred, opposi-tion, and cruelty, he chose to extend love and mercy.I’m not capable of forgiving. Especially when we’ve been deeplyhurt, we often have neither the power nor the desire to forgive.But in every situation, we have a choice. Will we trust in God’spower to change our hearts and make us able to obey Jesus’ com-mand to love? Or will we give in to feelings of anger, frustration,and bitterness? It’s not easy to forgive. In fact, it would be impossible with-out God’s help. But as we call on God and put our faith in him,he brings about a gradual change. He empowers us to offer for-giveness freely and without conditions—to become as mercifulas he is (Luke 6:36).Don’t be discouraged if you don’t experience an immedi-ate release of forgiveness. Don’t stop praying for a forgivingheart. And remember: “Those who wait for the Lord shallrenew their strength, they shall mount up with wings likeeagles” (Isaiah 40:31).Take Action!Which of the two obstacles to forgiveness do you struggle with?Note your thoughts in your journal. Consider talking to some-one—perhaps your chaplain—so that you can begin to make deci-sions that will help you overcome these obstacles.06-1540 WAU_Cov2 11/02/06 2:56 PM Page 14 (Black plate)

15Pray!Jesus, I don’t want to speak words of forgiveness while my heartis holding on to resentment. And so I come before your cross,Lord. I acknowledge that “I have been crucified with Christ; andit is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. Andthe life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Pleasehelp me to forgive. ■Day 10Forgiveness: God’s Gift of Healing There’s a story about an elephant trainer who was showinga visitor around the zoo. The visitor noticed a large elephant witha short chain around one ankle. The chain was staked to theground, and its links were thin. “I’m curious,” said the visitor.“How can such a weak chain hold such a large animal?” Thetrainer replied, “Well, it doesn’t.” He went on to explain:“When an elephant is born, we place a chain like this one aroundhis ankle. Now, no matter how much the baby elephant pulls,he can’t break the chain or pull out the stake. At some point, hestops trying. By the time he’s full grown, he’s still being held bythat same chain. It’s not the chain that holds him, though. It’sthe memory of the chain.”Isn’t that elephant chain a good image for the painful memo-ries that so many of us carry with us? Abuse, abandonment, bro-ken relationships, ruined lives, and bad decisions—all these hurtsget worse if we hold onto unforgiveness. Sometimes, even if we haveforgiven, the hurt remains because we are chained to the memory. The sad and terrible truth is that people hurt people. But aswe freely accept God’s forgiveness and freely forgive those whohave hurt us, we open ourselves to his healing power. The abil-ity to forgive comes from sharing in the very life of God. Whenwe forgive, it’s because God’s grace—his life in us—helps us tobecome like him. His forgiveness and mercy are total and perfect,flooding us like a mighty river.06-1540 WAU_Cov2 11/02/06 2:56 PM Page 15 (Black plate)

16Forgiveness touches every part of life. Throughout his min-istry, Jesus linked it with physical healing (for example, seeMatthew 9:5-6). Jesus even made forgiveness and reconciliationa prerequisite to worship: “First be reconciled to your brother orsister, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:24).All of us harbor unforgiveness at times, even when we’re pray-ing to be forgiven or healed. God knows that. But he still offersus his mercy, if only we accept the grace to forgive others as hehas forgiven us. Because he respects the precious gift of our freewill, he waits for us to choose this freedom. Don’t think that Godisn’t eager to totally free and heal us, however. He really longs tosee us without those elephant chains! Take Action!Jesus longs to heal your painful memories. The time is now!Tell him you want to be healed. Then close your eyes and in yourmind recall these hurtful events and situations. As you “see” thesememories, ask: “Jesus, where were you when this happened?” Waitand expect to “see” Jesus there in the midst of your memory. Whatis Jesus doing? What is he saying?Pray!Jesus, you have set me free! I love you, and thank you for yourgreat love. I now realize that you were always with me, even in themost painful moments of my life. Your healing power has brokenthe chains of my painful memories. ■Day 11Sowing and Reaping In the “Our Father,” Jesus taught that we must forgive if we wantto receive forgiveness (Matthew 6:14-15). One reason is that“you reap whatever you sow” (Galatians 6:7). Bitterness, anger, andresentment toward others reap the same harvest in our own lives.Before wishing bad things on other people, we should askwhether we would want them for ourselves. If we remember that06-1540 WAU_Cov2 11/02/06 2:56 PM Page 16 (Black plate)

17our thoughts and actions can boomerang, we just might besobered into not wishing evil on others! On the other hand, if wesow a crop of forgiveness and mercy, we clear the way for the Spiritto wash us in the healing blood of Jesus.Scripture teaches that “The one who sows sparingly will alsoreap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reapbountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6). This bountiful sowing of for-giveness isn’t a one-time thing. We have to sow forgivenessevery day, even if it feels like we’re overseeding! We must never stopasking the Spirit to reveal deeper areas of unforgiveness in us sothat we can receive every kind of healing God offers.Today, why not decide—or decide again—to take down what-ever barriers you’ve created that prevent God’s healing power fromflowing freely? God loves you! How much he wants you to under-stand and experience his love and power! Become good soil then,and receive everything God wants to sow in you. With hisgrace, you will reap a wonderful harvest and share it with others. Take Action! Set aside five minutes each day—morning, afternoon, orevening—to examine your conscience. It will bear fruit in yourlife! The following questions will help get you started:✦ Did I ask forgiveness from God for ways I didn’t love himor others today?✦ Did I willingly offer forgiveness to those who hurt metoday?✦ Am I holding onto anger or resentment toward anyone orwithholding any blessings from them?✦ Is there anyone of whom I should ask forgiveness? Pray! Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thykingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Giveus this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as weforgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not intotemptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. ■06-1540 WAU_Cov2 11/02/06 2:56 PM Page 17 (Black plate)

18Day 12“Jesus, Bless Them” What’s your reaction to this Scripture verse: “Forgive yourbrother or sister from your heart” (Matthew 18:35)? It’s a chal-lenge, isn’t it? But it’s a direct quote from Jesus. That’s how hewants us to relate to the people who have hurt us.Whenever angry thoughts rise up in us, we have a wonder-ful opportunity to become more like Jesus. We can ask God topour out his love on our “enemies.” Such a prayer is powerfulenough to unlock the chains of bitterness in our own heartsand bring blessings to those who have hurt us. How beautiful it is to be able to tell someone, “I forgiveyou and I love you.” Nothing has more potential for freeingup and restoring a relationship! But some relationships may betoo damaged to allow for outward expressions of reconcilia-tion. Even in these cases—even if we’ve been deeplywronged—God asks us to forgive from the heart. We can dothis by coming before God and honestly acknowledging howdeeply we have been hurt. Then we can tell God that wechoose to forgive. We can ask him to bless those who hurt us.In this way, even without the opportunity to verbalize our for-giveness and blessing in front of other people, we can rejectbitterness and seek their good. When you forgive others from the heart, you may or maynot experience peace and reconciliation. Tension may remain.You may still feel uncomfortable around certain people. Butdon’t get discouraged. We don’t forgive in order to reduce ten-sion! We forgive because Jesus has called us to be like him.Take Action!Right now, ask God to bless five people you interact withevery day. When memories of people who have hurt you cometo mind, bless them. If family and friends visit you, offerthem a “God bless you.”06-1540 WAU_Cov2 11/02/06 2:57 PM Page 18 (Black plate)

19Pray!Father, thank you for all the blessings in my life, and especiallyfor forgiveness. I want to walk in your love and forgiveness andfreely give it away to everyone I meet. ■Day 13Forgiveness Every Day Every day, Jesus calls you to love and forgive everyonearound you—other prisoners, officers, instructors, chaplains,and volunteers. When you express this love, even in small,everyday ways, you please God immensely because you arereflecting Jesus’ mercy. Compared to some of the issues you may already have workedthrough, this personal decision to express love in everyday situ-ations may seem small. It’s not insignificant, however! And as thisprisoner John says, it’s not always easy.I had been running a prayer circle gathering for about eightto fifteen prisoners when it happened. I came back fromchow one day, and someone had broken into my lockerand stolen about forty dollars’ worth of food and hygieneproducts. I was angry. I was hurt that these people I had“trusted” would do this. Well, as long as I didn’t know whodid it, I could be angry but not have to do anything. Byevening, I had pretty much gotten over it. The next day, three people came to me, at differenttimes, to tell me who had broken into my locker. Iwanted to beat him up. I wanted to smash his face in. Iwanted to kick his ribs in and break his arms. But I’d beenpreaching from the Bible to these men for nine months.What to do? I prayed about it. Fight to protect my“stuff?” Forgive? I went to the different gang leaders andexplained that I was going to forgive the thief; that Ibelieved in the Bible and what Jesus said. Then I con-fronted the thief publicly. “I know you stole my stuff. But06-1540 WAU_Cov2 11/02/06 2:57 PM Page 19 (Black plate)

I forgive you.” Later, the gang leaders came to me and saidI no longer needed a lock on my locker. From now on, my“stuff” was safe. Nobody would take anything from meagain. If you want to walk the path of love everyday, you have tomake a decision and renew it often. Will you choose to for-give, or will you harden your heart and harbor anger andresentment? Allow God’s love and forgiveness to find a placein your heart and your relationships. Over time, you’ll see thepower of the gospel change not only your life, but the lives ofeveryone around you. Jesus’ grace of forgiveness is pouring down from heavenlike a great waterfall. If you stand far away from a waterfall,you see only the mist produced by the cascading waters. If youstand near or under it, you can get drenched! Come and bedrenched in the overflowing, merciful, and forgiving love ofJesus—today and every day!Take Action!Protect the great gift of forgiveness that you received as youread and prayed through this pamphlet. Set aside a time eachday to pray. Read the Scriptures regularly. Stay on course byasking yourself some “review” questions like those in the actionsection for Day 11. Get involved in the Catholic community atyour institution. Attend Mass or Eucharistic services, pray theRosary, and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly.Pray also for those who are struggling with forgiveness. Pray!Jesus, I praise and thank you for being my Lord andSavior. You have reconciled me to my heavenly Father, and Irejoice that I am a beloved child of God! Holy Spirit, pleaseempower me to be a person who freely offers the gift of for-giveness to everyone. ■2006-1540 WAU_Cov2 11/02/06 2:57 PM Page 20 (Black plate)

Day 14Let’s Review! Listed below are some of the Scripture passages used in thispamphlet. Starting today, open up your Bible and reflect on oneor more of them as part of your daily prayer time. Memorize theverses that speak to you most, or write them in your journal. Andas you pray, remember: Talk to God! Examine your heart! Ask for-giveness of God and others! Forgive yourself! Forgive and bless oth-ers!God’s loveExodus 34:61 John 4:16John 3:16Luke 15:11-32 (The Parable of the Prodigal Son)God’s Love Revealed in JesusIsaiah 53:4-6Matthew 9:2-7John 8:3-11John 15:9Matthew 26:36-27:50; Mark 14:32-15:37; Luke 23; John 18-19 (Jesus’ Passion and Death)The Call to LoveMatthew 22:37-39John 15:12Matthew 5:38-48Romans 5:5Forgiveness and MercyGenesis 37-45 (The Story of Joseph)Matthew 5:23-24; 38-39Matthew 6:12-15Matthew 7:1-5Matthew 18:21-35 (The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant)Luke 6:36-38Luke 7:36-50Luke 19:1-10Acts 7:54-60 (Stephen’s Martyrdom)06-1540 WAU_Cov2 11/02/06 2:57 PM Page 21 (Black plate)

03-0413 WAU cover 10/30/06 11:21 AM Page 12