HOMILY - SUNDAY 25 AUGUST 2024
Presented by Val Ollive
Be Strong Enough to Forgive Without An Apology.
One of Our Greatest Freedoms is How We React to Things.
“My oh my. Two great sayings.
How many of you say you have forgiven someone without hearing an apology. Forgiveness makes me think of the second quote “one of our greatest freedoms is how we react to things”. A bit like saying turn the other cheek. Forgiveness is something we all have the capacity to do, but what is needed is to remember that it is our choice, our freedom to want to.
When we think of the happenings in the world today, I wonder, who is strong enough to forgive and who is so righteous that they cannot apologise. Would the world be where we are today if the people in power had read those quotes.
Perhaps we all need to be the bigger person and, in this world, now, teach our children forgiveness, teach them to think before they react. I know it’s hard especially if it is you or your child that is on the receiving end of the situation but, where does violence and harsh words get you? More violence and harsh words.
Your homework this week, should you choose to do it; I would like you all to think this week on a situation where you may have missed an opportunity to apologise or where you may have been strong enough to forgive regardless of the outcome.
As we know, God gave us freewill to be who we are meant to be. Unfortunately, along the way we have lost sight of the loving, caring, compassionate person inside and have sometimes become hardened to the world. Could you, could we, after pondering on these quotes, perhaps change the way in which we think and become more like the person God was hoping we would become.”
