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Jesus said to his disciples:
“To you who hear I say, love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,
pray for those who mistreat you.
To the person who strikes you on one cheek,
offer the other one as well,
and from the person who takes your cloak,
do not withhold even your tunic.
Give to everyone who asks of you,
and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
For if you love those who love you,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners love those who love them.
And if you do good to those who do good to you,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners do the same.
If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners lend to sinners,
and get back the same amount.
But rather, love your enemies and do good to them,
and lend expecting nothing back;
then your reward will be great
and you will be children of the Most High,
for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.
“Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you.”
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. The full readings of the day from the Lectionary are available here.
Many of us may not remember our first confession; I had the privilege of having a mentor who did. He told me that as an older man, his first confession took hours. At first it was awkward, then heartfelt, then contrite and sorrowful. What pain had he inflicted, how many evil thoughts and actions did he lay before the Lord that evening? Not hours, but days would not suffice to confess a lifetime of sin. He said that he found himself weeping bitterly by the end. He expected the priest to be angry with him. Instead, he looked up to find him smiling from ear to ear. … “The Lord has freed you from your sins, go in peace.”
What does it mean to forgive?
In today’s gospel, I hear a hard word from our Lord: that I ought to be glad even in the process of being wronged. Not only that, but I am told to give more than what was stolen, to loan without asking for return, to forgive even before an apology. How can I live up to such a standard?
I think this is why the Lord has given us confession. In that space, we are taught how to forgive by way of example. Just like my mentor’s priest, the Lord is overjoyed and even smiles when we ask for forgiveness. When we leave, we should hear a quiet exhortation: ‘go and do likewise.’
We are not promised that this will be easy. We are not even promised that others will be grateful or apologetic when we forgive. But now I am reminded of the faith of Amy Carmichael, missionary to India, who said, “When I consider the cross of Christ, how can anything I do be called a sacrifice?”
Loving God, help us to understand that those we call enemy are also members of your body and blood. Help us to see clearly that they are the ones we need to allow into our hearts that we might be converted to seeing as you see and loving as you love. We ask your blessing on those who oppose and offend us, that their hearts might also reflect your radiant love. Amen.
A PODCAST BY FAITH ND
Mike and Elizabeth Tomasek
We sit down with Mike and Elizabeth Tomasek, who provide a glimpse into a marriage and family life defined by mutual growth in faith, support through career changes, and true confidence in the love they have for each other.
Prof. Meghan Sullivan
Prof. Meghan Sullivan shares the ways God has guided important moments in her life, including teaching philosophy at Notre Dame, creating the God and the Good Life course, and serving as a key leader in the conversation about faith and artificial intelligence.
Deacon Kevin Conneely
Deacon Kevin Conneely ’85, from Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, offers his perspective on family life, transitioning from trial lawyer to permanent deacon, and helping a community heal in the aftermath of unfathomable tragedy.
Dr. Joanna Fava
We join Dr. Joanna Fava ’01 for a moment of gentle conversation as she reflects on her work as a psychologist, how she helps people find hope in the midst of trauma, and where her faith guides her in a broader life of service.
Fr. Mark Poorman, CSC
A priest who has been a professor, administrator, and university president, Fr. Mark Poorman, CSC, has offered his gifts to many people and places over the years.
Bobby Kloska
Sit in the pub with Bobby Kloska ’90, a man whose deep faith, hopeful outlook, and profound joy may seem surprising given the many hardships he has faced in life.
Sr. Mariana Koonce, RSM
We conclude this season with the unique perspective of Sr. Mariana Koonce, RSM, a physician and Navy veteran who discovered a latent call to religious life with the Religious Sisters of Mercy.
Kristin Komyatte Sheehan
Having spent much of her time cheering from various sidelines, Kristin Komyatte Sheehan ’90 offers a seasoned perspective on the place of faith and virtues in all types of athletics.
Tim and Ryan O’Neill
Share in the music and story of The O’Neill Brothers, who have touched many lives through their talents on the piano as well as more recently by establishing a family foundation.
Laura Kelly Fanucci
We next share the story of Laura Kelly Fanucci ’03, a Catholic author whose joy shines even through moments of deep suffering, giving witness to an integrated life of love and compassion for others.
Dr. Craig Humphreys
Travel from Alaska to Africa with Dr. Craig Humphreys ’86 as he describes finding God in nature, the love of his family, and the people he has served around the world.
Fr. Joe Carey, CSC
Whether in the residence halls, wedding churches, or teaching communities of the Alliance for Catholic Education, Fr. Joe Carey, CSC, has become a resource, friend, and spiritual mentor to so many over the years.
Mike Griffin and Jessica Thomas
We begin Season 12 with the beautiful and sometimes heart-rending story of Mike Griffin and Jessica Thomas, a married couple who have combined their lives after the shared cross of losing their first spouses to a rare illness.
Prof. Margaret Pfeil
Season 11 concludes with Prof. Margaret Pfeil, including her long-time commitments of living at the local Catholic Worker community, advocating for peace, and seeking justice for all of God’s people.
Fr. Lou DelFra, CSC
Fr. Lou DelFra, CSC, shares the moments that eventually led him to a vocation in religious life and priesthood, along with a specific ministry of forming aspiring Catholic teachers.
Avis Boyd
We continue this season with Avis Boyd, a longtime volunteer and alumna of Notre Dame, as she shares her perspective on moving through life with purpose, conviction, and a deep faith, even in the face of adversity.
Tim and Lindsay Will
Meet Tim and Lindsay Will, two graduates of the Alliance for Catholic Education program, who help us contemplate the meaning of loss, love, and the family ties that bind us to one another.
Dr. Andrew McShane
Hear the story of Dr. Andrew McShane, Director of the Notre Dame Liturgical Choir, as he reflects on a vocation that took shape over time through beautiful music, unexpected loss, and the lasting example of others.
Nan Tulchinsky
Sit courtside with Nan Tulchinsky, a longtime scorekeeper for Notre Dame Women’s and Men’s Basketball, as she shares stories of her remarkable life of dedication to her family, local community, and Catholic faith.
Bishop Bob Lombardo, CFR
We begin a new season with Bishop Bob Lombardo, CFR, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, as he shares his path towards religious life and priesthood, co-founding a new expression of Franciscan life, and the unexpected calling of a new ministry.
Veronica Alonzo
We complete this season by speaking with Veronica Alonzo, Associate Superintendent for the Dallas Catholic Schools, about discovering meaning in personal loss, her vocation as an educator, and perspectives on Catholic education.
Dr. Jim O’Connell
Walk the streets of Boston with Dr. Jim O’Connell as he describes his long path to a medical career and the surprising, longstanding vocation of serving others through the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program.
Lisa Orchen
Lisa Orchen details her calling to ministry in the Church and how that has changed over the years as the demands of life have shifted, always requiring continual discernment of God’s will.
Jessica Mannen Kimmet
Explore the themes of motherhood with Jessica Mannen Kimmet, a musician and author, who has written a book with the intention of helping mothers who are experiencing similar crosses to ones she has carried.
We welcome you to submit your prayers for yourself and others. A volunteer will offer them on your behalf at the Grotto, where a candle representing all prayer requests remains perpetually lit.
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