A Dangerous Prayer

by Fr. Jess Ty  |  09/13/2020  |  Weekly Reflection

Dear Family of God,

Do you know that the “Lord’s Prayer” is a dangerous prayer?

What I refer to when I say dangerous, is the phrase “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” We take a risk if we do not forgive others. It is as if we are asking God not to forgive us. If we want to be forgiven, we must first forgive those who have wronged us.

The Book of Sirach says: “Forgive your neighbor’s injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven” (Sir. 28:2). When we forgive from the heart then God heals us from past hurts and we are at peace with God, with others, and with ourselves. On the other hand, unforgiveness is selfdestructive, it hinders our growth and robs us of peace.

In the Gospel Jesus told a parable about the unforgiving servant: “You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me. Should you not have pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you? Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.” (Mt. 18:32-35).

Peace and healing comes from our Lord alone, but he needs our heart to be open, by being meek and humble, then he can work our healing. May we all ask the Holy Spirit for the grace to forgive all those who have wronged us, and also be forgiven also of all our sins.

May our Mary Immaculate intercede for us all to be meek like Jesus.

Yours in Christ through Mary Immaculate,

Fr. Jess Ty