One Minute Reflection – 12 November – ‘..You must forgive him.’

One Minute Reflection – 12 November – Monday of the Thirty Second week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel:   Luke 17:1-6 and the Memorial of St Martin of Tours

“… if he sins against you seven times in the day and turns to you, seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” … Luke 17:4

REFLECTION – “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Cor 13:7).  By this the apostle Paul showed that love can persevere steadfastly because it has learned to endure all things.   And in another place he says:  “Bear with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph 4:2-3).

Neither unity nor peace can be preserved, unless brothers cherish one another, with mutual forbearance and preserve the bond of unity, with patience as intermediary.   How then will you be able to endure these things – not to swear or curse, not to seek again what has been taken away from you, on receiving a blow to offer the other cheek also to your assailant, to forgive your brother who offends you, not only seventy times seven times but all his offences without exception, to love your enemies, to pray for your adversaries and persecutors, if you do not have the steadfastness of patience and forbearance?

We see what happened in the case of Stephen.   When he was being killed by the violence and stones of the Jews, he did not ask for vengeance but forgiveness for his murderers, saying:  “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60).” … St Cyprian of Carthage (c 200- c 258) Bishop and Martyr, Father of the Church – The Good of Patience

PRAYER – Lord God, Your Son has shown us the way. As we follow in His steps, may we never wander from the path that leads to life. Renew the wonders of Your grace in our hearts so that neither death nor life may separate us from Your love. Holy Father, as You were glorified by the life and death of St Martin, grant that by his prayers, we may receive strength to always give You our hearts, minds and selves. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, with You in union with the Holy Spirit, one God for all eternity, amen.