18 March 2024 - Only By Grace Reflections

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TOPIC: DO WE KNOW HOW TO FORGIVE AS WE HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN?

First Reading: Daniel 13: 1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or Daniel 13: 41c-62
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 23: 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
Verse Before the Gospel: Ezekiel 33: 11
Gospel: John 8: 1-11

Today’s gospel in John 8:1-11 recounts the story of a woman caught in adultery whom the self-righteous scribes and Pharisees brought to Jesus.

The self-righteousness displayed by the Pharisees, and the forgiveness modeled by Jesus are deeply interconnected, albeit contrasting, concepts. Self-righteousness hinders FORGIVENESS as it often stems from a sense of moral superiority or a judgmental attitude towards others. Self-righteous people may struggle to empathize with or FORGIVE those they perceive as having transgressed. This attitude can create barriers to extending FORGIVENESS, as it implies a belief that the self-righteous individual is somehow above needing FORGIVENESS himself.

In our prayer time today, let us ask God for the grace of HUMILITY to recognize our own faults and weaknesses, and the strength to resist self-righteous judgment of others. Let us ask God to teach us to FORGIVE as He has forgiven us, and to extend grace and compassion to those who have wronged us. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to help us walk humbly in God’s love, always seeking reconciliation and understanding.

This is the 1421st installment of our CFC contemplation series focusing on the daily liturgical readings.

[NOTE: As we continue to pray for Bro Bong Arjonillo’s healing and recovery, let us listen to our brother Eric Villanueva, Mission Head for CFC Europe and the Americas, as he brings us today's reflection.

All the regular reflections are between 3-7 minutes long, enough time for us to ponder what God's message is for us individually and to pray that we may live them out in our lives. This video is also available on Couples for Christ’s Facebook page. In You Tube, just type ONLY BY GRACE REFLECTIONS]

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