(photo: Pope Leo XIV, Edgar Beltran, 2025) Forgiveness offers both the forgiver and forgiven a relief from the painful and burdensome negative emotions that are experienced when forgiveness has not happened. Particularly when someone has experienced moral distress and moral injury in a hurtful event, we know that these events are commonly followed by: guilt … Continue reading Pope Leo Delivers Message of Hope for the Downcast, Weary, and Suffering
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Forgiveness: Receiving and Giving God’s Grace
(photo: Tom Delaney, Sherburne County, Minnesota, 2025) "Frost and cold, bless the Lord!" (Daniel 3:69) Yesterday morning we woke up to our first frost of this autumn here in on the oak savanna in Central Minnesota. The pastures were white and silver that tuned to a brilliant gold as the rising sun cast it's first … Continue reading Forgiveness: Receiving and Giving God’s Grace
Theology of Health: Harvard University Human Flourishing Scholar Tyler Vanderweele Webinar
(photo: Dr. Tyler Vanderweele, Archivo Fotográfico Universidad de Navarra, 2023) I started Live and Forgive while completing a program in forgiveness education and forgiveness group facilitation in the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University, and still receive ongoing support from the Human Flourishing Program. Dr. Tyler VanderWeele is the director of the Human Flourishing Program, … Continue reading Theology of Health: Harvard University Human Flourishing Scholar Tyler Vanderweele Webinar
5th Anniversary of Historic Vatican Forgiveness & Reconciliation Encyclical
(art: Duccio di Buoninsegna, 1255–1319) Today marks the 5th anniversary of the Vatican's historic encyclical concerning forgiveness and reconciliation in societal relationships, Fratelli Tutti. The work was composed by Pope Francis, who quoted St. Francis of Assisi in opening the work with the words, "fratelli tutti," meaning "all brothers and sisters." The publication date of … Continue reading 5th Anniversary of Historic Vatican Forgiveness & Reconciliation Encyclical
Pope Leo Explains the Resurrection as Cause and Model for Forgiveness
(photo: Edgar Beltran, 2025) Pope Leo XIV had important things to say about forgiveness in his General Audience on Wednesday of this week. His remarks linked forgiveness to the example of Jesus Christ when he appeared to the disciples after his resurrection (John 20:19-31), and how Jesus appears without anger or desire for revenge, but … Continue reading Pope Leo Explains the Resurrection as Cause and Model for Forgiveness
Wishing Forgiveness, Wishing Peace
(photo: White Cheese Polyspore, Tom Delaney, Sherburne County, Minnesota, 20205) Cooler temperatures, foggy mornings and lots of moisture in the earth and air has resulted in lots of mushroom and fungus fruiting in the mixed stands of red pine and oak that we have here. In just one walk through the woods, you will see … Continue reading Wishing Forgiveness, Wishing Peace
Divine Forgiveness: From Faith to Science and Back Again
(photo: Vatican Media, September 24, 2025) Pope Leo XIV addressed the topic of divine redemption today in his general audience. Divine redemption is an important concept and principle linked to divine forgiveness - i.e. forgiveness of our transgressions by God. Divine forgiveness is an important topic within forgiveness research because many people in general are … Continue reading Divine Forgiveness: From Faith to Science and Back Again
Pope Leo Connects Justice to Forgiveness
(photo: Vatican Media, September 20, 2025) Today Pope Leo XIV delivered an address in St. Peter's Square on the occasion of the Jubilee of Justice. In Pilgrims on the Way of Hope: A Resource for the Jubilee of Justice, the United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) explains: The Jubilee of Justice is an opportunity … Continue reading Pope Leo Connects Justice to Forgiveness
Franciscan Wisdom for Forgiveness: Balance
(photo: Tom Delaney, Sherburne County, Minnesota, 2025) We had a little surprise in the daily parade of deer along the woodline when this young White-Tailed Deer (Ordocoileus virginianus) buck showed up. In Anishinaabemowin, the language of the indigenous Ojibwe people of our area, these deer are called waawaashkeshi. In the language of the indigenous Dakota … Continue reading Franciscan Wisdom for Forgiveness: Balance
Connecting with Nature Helps Forgiveness
(photo: Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network, 2025) The Vatican News reports that Pope Leo XIV has announced a prayer intention for this month of September "for our relationship with all of creation." In his explanation available via video. Pope Leo XIV specifically recognizes the “the beauty of creation” as a revelation of God and “as the … Continue reading Connecting with Nature Helps Forgiveness
Live and Forgive 