Day 16

Tuesday, April 21, 2115

The Abbey of Gethsemani

I attended Laudes and Mass this morning. Fr. Jim was the celebrant. The scripture reading was taken from Acts 7 which is the story of the stoning of Stephen. It is a powerful story. Before he dies, Stephen sees Jesus,.  His dying words are words of forgiveness: Lord, do not hold this sin agasint them. (Acts 7:60)

Like Jesus when he was dying on the cross, Stephen asks God to forgive those who are putting him to death. It is the best example of true Christlikeness.

Forgiveness is a theme that always emerges at Gethsemani. The Lord’s Prayer is said everyday at Prayers and at Mass. I want to possess a forgiving spirit. But I confess that I also want my enemies to get what’s coming to them.

In his second talk, Fr. Carlos gave a wonderful illustration about failing to forgive another. He said: refusing to forgive enemy is like drinking a bottle of poison yourself, hoping the poison will kill your enemy.

I was in the Meditation Room looking out the window at the end of the day. There in the top of the tree was something I had never noticed before. It was a cross…a reminder of what Christ forgiving me cost him.

Lord, I am so grateful that you constantly forgive me of my sins. Please help me to forgive those who have sinned against me. Help me to be like Jesus. Amen.

i count it all joy,

Pastor Vallerie