Friday 1 June 2012

Friday Retreating

Happy Friday.   Happy 1 June 2012! The day at the end of some people's work week.  The day at the end of students'  classes.  The day at the beginning of the weekend.   Isn't it amazing how this is all the same day yet we each have such a different perspective on the day.   

Yesterday Old Son was sick again.   The same fever, headache, sore throat that he seems to get so frequently.  This sounds like one continual Mononeucleosis bout.  Many prayers for healing and diagnosis.
Husband was on the roat to Neepawa and Winnipegosis for meetings.   Many prayers for those who travel and have meetings. 


This day remember to take time to meditate and pray in God's presence.   

Friday Retreat.....
Prayer:   Great God,  help me to forgive continually so that I can come into Your presence with a joyful heart.  Amen.

Read  St. Matthew 18:  21 - 35

A story of forgiveness.   Peter listens to Jesus telling the disciples the steps to take when someone hurts you,  then Peter asks, “Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?”

Peter thought he was being very generous  in suggesting that we need to forgive seven times.    To ask for repentance from God,  according to the Laws,  one must:
1.  admit the sin to God (confession)
2.  regret what one has done before God
3.  resolve not to repeat the sin.
This is called teshuva (repentance).   However,  sins against another person requires two more steps:
4.  asking forgiveness of the person
5.  making restitution

Jesus turns to Peter and says, “Seven!  Hardly.  Try seventy times seven”.      Limitless.  Limitless forgiveness.    Repeating these five steps over and over again. 

Researchers have found time and again that those who forgive and learn to forgive have a much healthier life and a positive life.    Makes sense doesn’t it?   If we learn to forgive and ask for forgiveness,   a burden of hurt and negativeness is not sitting on our shoulders.  

Then Jesus tells the Disciples a story about a King and a Servant  to illustrate Forgiveness and not Forgiving.   

Prayer:   Thank You O Lord our God that You continually forgive us each time we sin or hurt others.  We thank You that You love us for all eternity.  May we share Your great love with our family and friends and neighbours this day. We ask this in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Many blessings!

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