FORGIVENESS:

Read: Stories Jesus told to explain why he did what he did:
Luke Ch 15: 1-24: Lost sheep, lost coin and lost sons.
Mathew: Ch 18: 21-35…How often must I forgive?
Luke: 7: 36-50 Jesus welcomes a sinner.
John 20: 22-23: Receive the Holy Spirit, Forgive Sins.
CCC: 978-987, 1856 on Forgiveness of Sins.

Your personal reflections on the stories:
In the story of the Prodigal son, which character reminds you most of yourself?
Did the Younger son get off too easily?
Were you there, ever?
How are sin and forgiveness related?
Which is easier? To forgive others, or to forgive oneself?
What does it feel like being forgiven?
Example of Peter in the Gospel passion narratives…
Example of Judas: Did he forgive himself?
More questions:
Is God a forgiving God in the Hebrew Bible? ( OT)
What does it mean to be forgiven or to forgive?
Forgive and remember, or forgive and forget?
Are there any conditions for receiving forgiveness?
In the creed we profess: “We believe in the forgiveness of sins”.
…”There is no one, however wicked and guilty, who may not confidently hope for forgiveness, provided his/her repentance is honest. …Christ who died for all desires that in his Church the gates of forgiveness should always be open to anyone who turns away from sin..” (Roman Catechism).
St Ambrose of 3rd Century says:
The Lord wills that his disciples possess a tremendous power: that his servants accomplish in his name all that he did when he was on earth…

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