Forgiveness: Did He Really Have to Make it a Math Problem?

Jesus tells us in the Gospel that we are to forgive Seventy times Seven times.


I always hated math.


The truth of this scripture passage has nothing whatsoever to do with numbers though, it has to do with our being willing to be forgiving as God forgives.

This is a recurring theme in scripture, and one that I keep being reminded of, because I tend to hold on to unforgiveness.

My friend Suzanne and I were deep into a session of venting yesterday afternoon. I thought it was actually good for me to get out how much hurt I had felt for years by a particular person, and then I was relating a new hurt that my daughter had suffered by the inattention of someone who was supposed to have her best interest at heart, but didn't really seem to care.

At the time it felt like righteous indignation, and I felt justified in my feelings, but as I thought about it more that evening, and apparently Suzanne was thinking about the same thing, I came to the conclusion that my holding on to feelings of unforgiveness are only hurting me, and in the face of what I have asked God to forgive me for, how can I not forgive those who have wronged me?

In fact when Jesus teaches about the Lord's Prayer the only thing he clarifies is that the extent by which we are able to forgive is the extent by which God will be able to forgive us.

I have a lot of work to do on that score. Thanks Suzanne for reminding me that forgiveness is for me, not for the one who has wronged me.
Pax

Show Us Your Veil

I have found that I am not the only one :

Who has felt so small before the almighty that she wanted to cover her head with a veil.

Who wanted to add a simple chapel veil over her hair to church or adoration, but felt too shy, or that she might be drawing the wrong kind of attention to herself if she did.


There has been an ongoing discussion of just this topic in the Catholic blogosphere among women who wish to wear a veil for the right reasons. As Coffee Wife at the Walled Garden states:

-Wearing a religious hat/veil does not "save" you.-Wearing a hat/veil does not make you better then anyone else.

-Wearing a hat/veil is not a status symbol of any kind.Wearing a hat, veil or other kind of head covering is a beautiful expression of one's femininity and every woman should be free to do so without scorn or public humiliation.

Head coverings of all types have been worn for thousands of years - so why should any woman be made to feel like a freak if she attends Mass in a veil, wears a beautiful flowery hat to town, ties a scarf over her hair or wears a head covering for religious purposes?

Read the Rest Here.

Here are some thoughts from Kitchen Madonna

Another viewpoint from Michelle at Rosetta Stone

I say all of us should just get together and start wearing them. If we all do it it becomes a movement. It isn't just one woman here or there trying to be "holier than thou" it is each of us trying to be as holy as we can. If wearing a head covering helps us to feel more humble in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament (and He is Really and Substantially Present every time we set foot in a Church with a Tabernacle) then why should we feel ashamed for doing what we feel called to do.

I will if you will.

Pax