(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
Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi Today
Today is the day that the Catholic Church remembers the death of St. Francis of Assisi. Written accounts tell us that he died on October 3, 1226, a date termed his transitus. By the time of his death, St. Francis had started an entire movement, including religious orders that included clergy, nuns and laity. He … Continue reading Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi Today
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
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
Forgiving Makes More Forgiveness
(photo: Prairie Deer Mouse by Tom Delaney, Sherburne County, Minnesota, 2025) An important part of my day is the time I spend in our stable, hay shed, and on our pastures. Regularly doing some outdoor work caring for animals and little ecosystems like pastures, keeps gives me a daily connection to nature and the proverbial … Continue reading Forgiving Makes More Forgiveness
Daily Well-Being and Happiness
(photo New day, new hope by Takky edine, 2014) I want to talk about how some things we learn from the morning prayers (Lauds) in the Liturgy of the Hours today relate to forgiveness, and reinforce the importance of forgiveness. But before I do that, I think I need to do something I haven't done … Continue reading Daily Well-Being and Happiness
Forgiveness in Elder Flourishing
(photo by Tom Delaney, Sherburne County, Minnesota, 2025) This is the time of year when the Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) is in bloom and we can see all kinds of pollinators busily working the flowers. As you can see in the photo, it’s an amazing sight of coexistence, not to mention that you may be … Continue reading Forgiveness in Elder Flourishing
Co-Reflection Transforms Reconciliation
(photo by Harli Marten, 2016) A new study by Australian researchers suggests that transgressions between couples may actually strengthen their relationship when the reconciliation process includes co-reflection. This growth is termed Post-Transgression Relationship Growth or "PTRG" for short. In co-reflection, relationship partners relationship partners working through the incident together (Thai et al., 2023). The researchers … Continue reading Co-Reflection Transforms Reconciliation
As We Forgive
(photo by Tom Delaney, Sherburne County, Minnesota 2025) After sharing a photo of closed Hedge Bindweed (Calystegia sepium) flowers a while back, I thought I really should make a point to share with you a photo of the fully blossomed flower so as to do them some justice. When you head out into the woods … Continue reading As We Forgive