“Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him?
As many as seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.”
Forgive. We are instructed to forgive, over and over and over again. At times it seems like a tall order, does it not? And then I am reminded that each time I leave the confessional, Jesus has forgiven me. He died on the cross for me, for you. For our sins. Of course, then, we are asked to forgive again and again and again.
St. Clare
Today we celebrate the Feast Day of St. Clare. St. Clare of Assisi founded the Poor Clares or the Second Order of St. Francis. Under the guidance of St. Francis, she started the order of sisters and lived a life of poverty and many sacrifices. Saint Clare was canonized in 1255. Below is a prayer she said, and it can be a guide for us in remembering how short earthly life is. And that heaven is our goal and reward.
“Our labor here is brief, but the reward is eternal. Do not be disturbed by the clamor of the world, which passes like a shadow. Do not let the false delights of a deceptive world deceive you.”
It is easy to get caught up in the day to day. It can be tempting to allow grievances and shortcoming of others to bother and annoy us. Certainly, there are times when you feel as though you cannot forgive this or that offense. It’s too big.
Wrong. I implore you. You must forgive. Cling to the words of St. Clare and remind yourself how brief this life is. You will be judged according to how you forgave others. You will be forgiven as you forgave.
Reminders Help
I have a huge wall hanging quote by Saint Mother Teresa that sits in our living room. The first line says, “People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered, forgive them anyway.”
I cannot tell you how many times I read and re-read and pray this quote. I am constantly urging our children (and a reminder to myself) to see people as Jesus sees them. Remember, everyone we meet was made in the image and likeness of God.
It is a tall order yes. But we were made for this.
Love this!! St. Clare is one of my patron saints ❤️ And Mother Teresa is one of my heroes 💙 🤍
P. S. I didn’t know (or remember) you are a writer!
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I needed to hear this today, Joanne. Thank you!