Hard Hearts Can’t Receive Forgiveness

Posted: 12 Aug 2009 09:00 PM PDT

Josh 3:7-10, 11, 13-17 / Mt 18:21-19:1

Forgiveness is debt we owe to God — as well as to each other — because we have all needed to BE forgiven so often. Every mass begins with a rite of reconciliation, because the church knows and we know in advance that we’re going to need it. No matter how hard we try, we’ll need to ask forgiveness, and we’ll need to give it.

Especially when we’re hurt or angry, we may not feel like forgiving. And the person who hurt us may well be a thoroughly rotten person, but withholding our forgiveness is a dangerous choice. For as we do so, we shrink and harden and close our own hearts. And in doing that, we shrink our capacity to RECEIVE forgiveness — whether from God or from our neighbors.

God’s capacity and desire to forgive us is immediate and infinite. Our ability to receive his forgiveness is limited by the size of our hearts.

May your heart continue to grow larger and larger as you welcome God’s people into your life. And may God’s peace which is beyond all understanding fill your mind and your heart. Amen.