Oblate Program at Belmont Abbey, NC

Tag: forgiveness

To know all is to forgive all

If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.—1 John 3:20 The proverb “To know all is to forgive all” is something that I have pondered over for many years. From experience, even on some minor happenings in my life, I have found that if angry,… Read More ›

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Unburden Yourself – The Gifts of Confession and Forgiveness

Many of our personal woes are driven by anxieties that seem to us to be inescapable or unmanageable. We deal with the boss that demands a project on a Friday night that is due on Monday morning, after he promised you the day off at that particular Monday; the co-worker that uses the idea that… Read More ›

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A troubled young man

About a year ago, we had a young man come into the retreat house one morning asking if he could stay a couple of nights.  He was traveling and his place of employment would pay for his lodging.  Did not know what his job entailed, but he told me that he was on the road… Read More ›

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To be seen

The more the life of Jesus is contemplated, I believe the broader our understanding of what it was about deepens.  To enter into one of the stories and see how differently Jesus related to others can be an eye opener.  The Samaritan woman for instance with whom Jesus talked to at the well.  It is… Read More ›

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A man serving three life sentences

Years ago my friend Marco asked me to accompany him to Federal Prison to talk to prisoners. I was nervous about it not knowing what to expect, but I found out that I felt very much at home with the men I talked to. Not sure what that says about me, but the men who… Read More ›

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Resentment, anger and forgiveness retreat

Having a retreat this weekend on Resentment, Anger and Forgiveness. It is not an easy one to give, since our relationships can be so painful, or even impossible. How to deal with it. Below is are some scribbling s on the subject. {We are a species who are involved in an inner struggle, at least… Read More ›

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Forgive like Jesus, don’t accuse like the devil, pope tells Capuchins

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Confessors have two choices: to be like Jesus who readily forgave sins or like the devil who always condemns, Pope Francis said. “You can either do the work of Jesus, who forgives, by giving your lives in prayer (and) through many hours seated there or you do the work of the… Read More ›

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Psalm 51(50): Have mercy on me, O God!

1. For the fourth time during our reflections on the Liturgy of Lauds, we hear proclaimed Psalm 51[50], the famous Miserere. Indeed, it is presented anew to us on the Friday of every week, so that it may become an oasis of meditation in which we can discover the evil that lurks in the conscience and beg the Lord… Read More ›

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Be honest, childlike, open, and fearless before God

Prayer is conversation with God, no matter what kind it is. It can be a wordless sharing, or thoughts can be present; in the end it is an actual being present to God, knowing that God is also present to you; more present actually, one with you, fused with your soul, holding you in existence… Read More ›

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Justice, Prayer and Mercy

A devotion that I personally feel an attraction towards is the mercy chaplet. I tend to use it often throughout the day to keep my mind focused, in an attitude of prayer. It keeps me aware, alert, and of course in the Eternals presence. It is said on rosary beads, for it is a round… Read More ›

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