One of the improvements I want to make in my spiritual life is being more invested during the homily. I wrote down the key topics that stuck with me from this past Sunday, and how I hope to use them to better my faith and myself.
3 Points to Overcome Hurt
This past week, Father Mike spoke about family and bitterness, specifically disagreements that carry on far longer than they should. The idea he highlighted was how to treat everyone as our brother or sister, and the ways to reach this state of mind.
Number one: Forgive and act as though you have forgiven them
This is the most difficult, but also the purest form of mercy. Either we are able to forgive them in our hearts, or we act to show that we have. It's a way for both you and the other person to move forward in your relationship and rebuild. Unfortunately, this is not always possible or at least not in the beginning, but it is always the end goal.
Number two: Speak mercifully to others if you can't forgive
Just because we cannot come to terms with how we were treated does not mean we should cause harm. No matter what, we treat all people with mercy and respect. This step will help in reaching the ultimate stage of forgiveness, and it will show the power of Christ to the one who hurt you. If Christ can turn the other cheek, then we are called to do the same.
Number 3: Pray mercifully for others if you can't speak to them
This is the stage I am stuck on for a particular group of people. When I spoke mercifully, I was downplayed and ignored or insulted and mocked. When I couldn't stand it anymore, I lashed out and now am facing attacks for my actions even though I only did what they had done to me.
At the end of it, I should stay away from anyone I know I cannot interact with, and this is my last and only option left. I am striving and praying for the desire to pray for these individuals because I know that we all make mistakes. I cannot expect to deliver judgment or see it delivered because that is all in God's control. If He decides to do something or work in them, it has nothing to do with me or my life, and God has shown me this by forcibly removing me from them forever.
These three points spoke to me last Sunday because of the events that played out the week before. Being a Christian is a never-ending life journey: just like Job was pushed and pushed, so will we be. However, unlike Job, we have Jesus to turn to and look upon as a model. If we simply strive to be like Him, we will slowly but surely transform ourselves into merciful and forgiving friends, family members, and community members.
Heavenly Father, Lord of lords, You are the true merciful king. We beg for your mercy and forgiveness in this fight against temptation and sin. May we seek Your graces alone and may our goal be only to please You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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