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"To err is human; to forgive divine." Alexander Pope

For Reflection: According to this quote, am I acting "divinely?" What resolution can I make for the coming new year in light of my answer?

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“No punishment can suppress the inalienable dignity of those who have committed evil. The door to repentance and rehabilitation must always remain open.”

Pope John Paul the Great

 For Reflection: To what extent do I keep the door to repentance and rehabilitation open for those who have injured me? Am I seeking to repent and rehabilitate in light of those to whom I have caused injury?

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"If you do not receive him who repents, because you are merciless, you sin against the Lord God; for you do not obey Our Lord and God in acting as He acted." Anonymous

For Reflection: How well do I act as Our Lord and God acted in light of mercy?

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"We need to smooth off the rough edges a little more each day [to] get rid of the defects in our own lives with a spirit of penance, with small mortifications. Jesus Christ will later make up for whatever is still lacking." St. Josemaria Escriva

For Reflection: How does seeking forgiveness from others help to smooth off rough edges?

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"What should characterize our behavior when we ask for pardon? Humility, contriteness of heart, no defensiveness or rationalization of our behavior, no rehashing the argument, no expectation on the reaction we will receive, surrender of the outcome to God." Johnnette Benkovic

For Reflection: Am I willing to apply these characteristics to my behavior when I ask for forgiveness? Why or why not? Which virtue do I need to acquire to do so?Â

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"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." Psalm 51: 10,17

For Reflection: This passage gives us the two characteristics necessary for true contrition - a broken and contrite heart. Is there someone whom I have offended? Are these two characteristics present in me in relation to that person? In light of this, what should I do?

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"For the individual who has been injured through the actions of another, it is important to find meaning in the suffering. Such a perspective infuses value and worth into the heartache of the injury sustained. It reminds us that God has a plan in all things and works all things to the good." Johnnette Benkovic

For Reflection: How have I seen God work good out of the sufferings I have endured because of the actions of others? Can I then see this suffering as a blessing and not a curse?

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"For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son that everyone who believed in Him might not perish but have life everlasting." John 3:16

For Reflection: quote from Scripture tells us that God loves everyone. If God loves everyone, what right do I have to hold on to hatred and resentment? During this holy season, am I willing to forgive and to ask for forgiveness? With whom should I begin?

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"Anger, hatred, resentment, bitterness, revenge - they are death-dealing spirits, and the will 'take our lives' on some level. I believe the only way we can be whole, healthy, happy persons is to learn to forgive." Marietta Jaegger-Lane Mother of a murdered child

For Reflection: How have I seen anger, hatred, resentment, bitterness and revenge prove to be death-dealing spirits? Have I let them into my heart in regard to somebody? Am I willing to forgive so as to deal death to them?

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"Guilt is not just the breaking of a love; it is the wounding of someone who is loved." Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

For Reflection: What love does guilt break? Who is the loved one that experiences wounding? How does morbid guilt break a love and wound the loved one?

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