A reading from the Holy Gospel according to the Apostle and Evangelist Saint Matthew (Mt 6:14-21).
Indeed, if you forgive men their sins, your heavenly Father will forgive you, but if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your sins.
And when you fast, do not look as melancholy as the hypocrites, that they disfigure their faces to make men see that they fast. Verily I say unto you, they have already received their reward.
But you, when you fast, perfume your head and wash your face, so that people do not see that you fast, but only your Father who is in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.
Accumulate no treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; store up treasures in the sky where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves do not break through and steal. For where your treasure is, your heart will be.
Reflection
Dear brothers and sisters in the faith, I wish you all peace and blessings!
On this Sunday of forgiveness, just before the beginning of Lent, the Holy Church of God, through the Epistle of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Romans (Romans 13:11-14:4) and the Holy Gospel according to Matthew, urges us to reflect deeply on our past actions and to seek redemption, as Saint Ignatius of Antioch (about 35-107 AD) stated in his letter to Philadelphia 8:1: "Forgiveness is the way to peace and reconciliation".
It is an opportunity to forgive others and to ask forgiveness for our mistakes. This day invites us to practice compassion and reconciliation, promoting inner peace and spiritual growth.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of the importance of mutual forgiveness, stating that if we forgive others, the Heavenly Father will also forgive us. This invitation to forgiveness is linked to the nature of spiritual life and to the relationship between God and humanity. Forgiveness is seen as a condition for receiving divine forgiveness and as an expression of God’s grace and mercy. Refusing to forgive others, therefore, can hinder our relationship with God and demonstrate a hardened and closed heart to spiritual change.
In his letter to the Romans, Paul speaks of the need to live a life according to the spirit rather than according to the flesh, preparing for the coming of the Lord. Paul exhorts believers to wake up from spiritual sleep and set aside the works of darkness, living a life of justice and love. This invitation to interior transformation and spiritual life is linked to the theme of forgiveness since forgiveness is an essential element of Christian life and of the relationship with God.
Both passages invite believers to live a life of forgiveness, transformation, and spirituality, recognizing the importance of forgiving others and living in accordance with Jesus' teachings.
Mutual forgiveness is a means to free oneself from resentment and anger, promoting inner peace and emotional well-being. In addition to fostering reconciliation with our neighbour, forgiveness opens doors to God himself, breaking down the barriers of our hearts and allowing a better reception of his mercies. This brings with it the joy of living a life of righteousness and love. In addition, forgiveness can be a catalyst for personal growth, allowing you to learn from past experiences and overcome conflicts in a constructive way. Finally, the act of forgiveness can manifest compassion and generosity, bringing benefits not only to those who forgive, but also to those who receive forgiveness. Because: "Forgiveness is the most precious gift we can offer" (Saint Leo the Great, "Sermon 14 on Pentecost", 2).
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, it is fundamental for our personal growth and our continuous development to recognize our mistakes. This awareness allows us to learn from the mistakes of the past and avoid repeating them in the future. Moreover, admitting our shortcomings makes us more responsible for our actions and allows us to build more genuine and sincere relationships with others, demonstrating humility and maturity. This recognition is also an important step towards forgiveness, both for us and for others, bringing inner peace and reconciliation and contributing to the building of a more harmonious and supportive society.
However, as a deacon, the concept of forgiveness takes on an even deeper and more tangible meaning in my life and ministry. Forgiveness is a central theme of the Christian faith and plays a fundamental role in my service to the community.
I am called to follow the example of Christ in offering and promoting forgiveness. This means being a model of compassion, humility, and mercy, both through my words and my actions. Moreover, forgiveness is an essential element in interpersonal relationships within the ecclesial community and my task is to encourage and facilitate reconciliation among the members of the community.
Personally, forgiveness challenges and inspires me every day. I understand how difficult it is to forgive those who have hurt us or have sinned against us, but I also understand how important it is for our spiritual well-being and for our relationship with God. As a deacon, I strive to live forgiveness in my daily life, sincerely seeking to forgive those who hurt me and to ask forgiveness when I make mistakes. I reflect on God’s forgiveness of me and the example of Christ forgiving sinners, which helps me to better understand the true meaning of forgiveness and to cultivate an open and compassionate heart toward others.
In this regard I would like to share with you an episode that happened last month at the workplace where I was involved together with a dear friend and colleague. On that day, she falsely testified about what had happened and her words not only hurt my confidence, but generated a sense of betrayal that left me dismayed.
In the following weeks, the frost of misunderstanding separated our paths. As I tried to process what happened, I felt the weight of injustice growing on my shoulders as an unbearable burden.
But time, that magical ally who whispers words of healing in the darkest moments, began to reveal a new light.
She, with humility and courage, recognized her mistakes, where her words of repentance were not only empty sounds, but sincere vibrations of an awakened consciousness.
My heart, still scarred by the scars of betrayal, was faced with a difficult choice. I could harbor resentment and anger, allowing them to root like weeds in my soul.
However, I decided to listen to the deepest voice of my being, the one that whispered words of compassion and forgiveness.
So, with uncertain but determined steps, we get closer. Our words were not charged with accusations or reproaches, but with a common desire for healing and reconciliation. At that moment, the weight of injustice melted like snow in the sun, leaving room for a sense of liberation and peace.
Forgiveness was not an act of weakness, but of strength. I freed myself from the prison of bitterness and vengeance, allowing our bond to be reborn stronger than before. And so, in the delicate light of a new day, she and I walked together along the path of reconciliation, witnessing to the transformative power of compassion and redemption.
Dear friends, let us take advantage of this period of Lent to dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to prayer of the heart, to reflection and to the practice of penance. In these 40 days preceding the Holy Passover of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us examine our lives and return to God with a humble and contrite heart, just as St John Chrysostom and St Leo the Great have urged us to do: "Lent is a time of reflection, of prayer, of meditation on the Scriptures and of examination of our heart, while we continue the fight against sin" (Homilies of Saint John Chrysostom, Homily 20 on Genesis); "Lent invites us to prepare ourselves internally through prayer, penance and charity, so that we can celebrate Easter with a purified and renewed heart" ("Letter 39" of Saint Leo the Great).
Let us therefore pray to the Most Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Our Mother who followed him along the path of Calvary, so that she may lovingly guide our steps towards true conversion. May the Almighty Lord bless you now and always.
Good Lent.
Archdeacon Michele Alberto Del Duca.
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