I suppose most Christians recite the “Our Father” once or more daily. Each time we recite the Our Father, we affirm and declare that we should forgive those who have wronged us.
“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
To forgive is a divine attribute of God. Thus, every Christian has to forgive. Christ on the Cross explained one basic reason to forgive when he said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” The need for more awareness and knowledge is implied. They – the people – were forgiven for sure because Jesus had requested their forgiveness from the father.
We are human. We make mistakes and repeat them. When we make mistakes against others, we desire to be forgiven.
Forgiveness is a process that does not have an age requirement. Do we discuss forgiveness as a family? Do we practice the Sacrament of Confession? Do we pray as a family? Have you considered during your family prayers to lead an Examination of Conscience? What is a conscience? God gives us a “little voice inside of us” to help us know the right thing to do. Do you ever hear this voice inside when you have to decide what to do? Some days we make good choices, other days we may not, but we can learn from them and try to be better the next day with God’s help. Being forgiven and asking for forgiveness involves some form of satisfaction. It is a process that continues.
Here are three helpful ways families can strive to be models of moral living and forgiveness:
- Read together as a family about when Jesus instituted the Sacrament and gave his apostles the authority to forgive sin in his name (Jn 20:19-23).
- Reflect on the healing of a paralytic in the Gospel of Mark, 2:1-12, and on Jesus’s authority to forgive and trust in his healing power.
Share these powerful stories with your family and explain to them that asking for forgiveness and going for confession is not about getting into trouble; it’s about asking God for forgiveness and receiving his grace for a better life.
- During your family prayer, you can practice the Examination of Conscience through a series of questions:
- Do I show my love for God by praying every day?
- Do I use bad language?
- Do I sometimes wish bad things for others?
- Have I missed Mass on Sundays and Holy Days?
- Do I misbehave in Church or not pay attention at Mass?
- Do I respect my parents and teachers?
- Do I fight with my brother, sister or friends?
The Examination of Conscience helps us and prepares us to receive the Sacrament of Confession. A well-formed conscience and the reception of the Sacrament of Confession restore our relationship with Christ and offer us peace, serenity of conscience and spiritual consolation. We pray that all families frequently experience God’s love and grace in the Sacrament of Confession.
Mariyam Francis is the parish catechetical leader in Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton.
Faith at Home is a monthly column coordinated by the Diocese of Trenton’s Departments of Catechesis, Evangelization and Family Life, and Youth and Young Adult Ministry. For additional Faith at Home resources, visit dioceseoftrenton.org/faith-at-home.
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