When we have been wronged or hurt by someone, perhaps an acquaintance, a relative or even a good friend, what is our reaction? Consider the following questions and thoughts!

Do I devise a way to get back at them?

Do I dwell on the hurt they caused me? or

Do I try to show love and compassion and heal the hurt, even if it wasn't my fault?

I you answer "YES" to either of the first two of these questions, then chances are you are suffering spiritually and perhaps physically from an un-Christian disease and sin known as UN-FORGIVENESS!

What makes us want to hold in the anger and get even attitude when we are hurt? In most cases it's a thing called PRIDE!

The most important thing we can do to obtain RECONCILIATION with those who have hurt us and with GOD is to shed that thick layer of skin that blocks our ability to forgive and reconcile. That thick layer of skin I refer to is PRIDE! I use that analogy of a "thick layer of skin" mainly because it best describes how difficult it is to:
(a) Swallow our Pride.
(b) Forgive those who hurt us. For many it would be equally as difficult to shed your skin.

Finally the question arises.....
Why is it so important to RECONCILE and FORGIVE?

Your HEALTH is at stake.
First your Spiritual Health and well being is on shaky ground. Your relationship with God is equaled to your relationship with all other human beings. What I am saying here is that:
If you find yourself in a poor, hurt, angry and un-forgiving way with other human beings then you will find that you are in the same equal way with God!

Jesus said "Love one another as I have Loved you, then Love the Lord your God with all your Heart and Soul. Hang all the laws on this new commandment I give you."

This commandment was our Lord's addition to the ten commandments when he was a man on earth.

It's as simple as that. Ask Jesus now to give you the ability and the graces to forgive and love those who have hurt you.

Dear Jesus, I have held in many hurt's and pains that others have caused me. I have found it difficult to Forgive them. I love you Jesus with all my heart and soul and I know that you want me to forgive. I ask you for your help, right now Jesus. Please help me to reconcile and forgive those who have offended me. Please give me the graces I need to heal them and to heal me.

Say the Lord's Prayer right now.
and remember the words:

"Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."

Do you want God to forgive you at the hour of your death and bring us home to heaven?

Our salvation, our promised everlasting life with God in heaven is up to us. The church cannot obtain salvation for us. Only you can! Just going to church on Sunday doesn't get you entry to heaven.

It's time we Catholics start living our faith!

Confession is not just for Priest. Confession is a sacrament that many of us don't practice on a regular basis. These sacraments are a gift to us from God and our Church. Confession helps us to vent and share our troubles, our hurts, our sins and our thought both good and bad. I know when I sit down and share my problems and things that I have done wrong with a Priest in confession after I am finished I feel much better. I feel like I have just stepped out of a warm shower. I feel like I have been cleaned.

When was the last time you were to confession?

Reconciliation and Confession is the best was to complete your ability to forgive and forget all the hurts and pains others have inflicted upon you or the pains you have inflicted on others.