(photo: Geheimnis der Weihnacht, Turris Davidica, 2014) Today is the day of Advent, are you ready? Are you wondering what there is to be ready for? Advent is an important liturgical season because it does two things for us: it memorializes, and it invites. Let's take a closer look at how Advent each of these … Continue reading Franciscan Advice for Entering Advent
reconciliation
Forgiveness: Heal your worldview, heal yourself!
(photo: Alex Knight, 2016) In important ways, the world we see is a reflection of ourselves. What we see is a reflection of what we are looking for, what has become important to us, what we choose to pay attention to, as well as how we think and feel about our prior experiences of the … Continue reading Forgiveness: Heal your worldview, heal yourself!
Forgiveness is a Constant Invitation to Rebirth in Love
Today's Liturgy of the Word includes a reading from the Gospel of Luke (17:1-6) that is a cornerstone for forgiveness as Christian faith in action. In this section of the gospel, Jesus teaches his disciples: If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.And if he wrongs you seven times in one … Continue reading Forgiveness is a Constant Invitation to Rebirth in Love
Perfectionism Works Better with Self-Forgiveness
(photo: Al Shahed Press, 2025) My spiritual director was a priest in his elder years who had "seen it all, done it all." During one of our meetings, he commented, "I have heard confessions - thousands of them, maybe more, who knows how many? In all of that time what I saw was that I … Continue reading Perfectionism Works Better with Self-Forgiveness
Pope Leo Calls for “Culture of Reconciliation”
(photo: Anastasis, Chora Church, Istanbul (Constantinople), José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro, 2011) Another essential frontier lies in reconciliation and justice, especially in a world torn apart by conflict, inequality and abuse. Today, many suffer exclusion, and many wounds remain unhealed across generations and peoples...we must oppose the “globalization of powerlessness” with a culture of reconciliation — … Continue reading Pope Leo Calls for “Culture of Reconciliation”
A New Paradigm of Love for Understanding Human Flourishing & Forgiveness
(photo: Tom Delaney. Sherburne County, Minnesota, 2025) The heat of the days is giving way to coolness, and the hours of sunlight have declined. All living things are now drawn into a time of taking their rest. Everywhere you can see the wisdom of Jesus' words in the Gospel of John (12:24): Amen, amen, I … Continue reading A New Paradigm of Love for Understanding Human Flourishing & Forgiveness
Pope Leo XIV: 2025 Jubilee Year is Time for Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Prior to his death, Pope Francis declared 2025 to be a Jubilee Year, A Jubilee Year is an "event of great spiritual, ecclesial, and social significance in the life of the Church." The concept of "Jubilee" has its origins in the Book of Leviticus (chapter 25) as a special year of reconciliation, pilgrimage, and coming … Continue reading Pope Leo XIV: 2025 Jubilee Year is Time for Forgiveness and Reconciliation
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
Can forgiving be harmful?
(photo: Hartmann Linga, 2025) Forgiveness researcher Robert Enright has published a new piece in Psychology Today examining questions and criticisms focused on whether forgiveness can be harmful. Enwright developed the Guideposts for Forgiving framework and process that is integrated in Live and Forgive presentations, guided retreats, small group series and wilderness walks. In the article, … Continue reading Can forgiving be harmful?
Live and Forgive 