S05 Episode 24: Forgiveness

In this episode of the Abiding Together Podcast, we discuss the power of living a forgiving life, especially when it comes to parenting children, and how unforgiveness in our life can keep us in bondage, and stems from a wound that needs healing. We talk about how sometimes forgiveness feels like we are letting people off the hook, instead of it being a willingness to release our grasp and open ourselves up to God's grace.

One Thing We Love this Week

• Sister Miriam's one thing - Seeking Healing Through Forgiveness SEEK Talk with Fr. John Burns
• Michelle's one thing - Endow - Discovering the Doctors
• Michelle's other one thing - Story of forgiveness
• Heather's one thing - Blessed is She daily devotional for children ages 8-12 called Rise Up

Discussion Questions

• What is one area where you are finding it hard to offer forgiveness?
• Sister Miriam quotes this "resentment is like drinking a little bit of poison every day and hoping the other person dies." Discuss this truth in your own life.
• How can you model a life of forgiveness? If you have children, how can you teach your children about forgiveness?
• How have you experienced the mercy of God in your life?

Journal Questions

• Who in your life do you need to offer forgiveness to? What is holding you back from this?
• Journal about how you have felt God's mercy in your own life
• How have I hurt people in my life and need to ask for forgiveness? In what ways can I restore the relationship?

Quote to Ponder "Forgiveness is the restoration of freedom to oneself, it is the key held in our own hand to our prison cell" - Saint Pope John Paul II

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Matthew 6:12 "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us"