Good morning. To love is to forgive knowing we will be offended again. This is what we are called to. As Jesus reminds us in today’s Gospel we are called to forgive “not seven times but seventy-seven times.” He is asking a great deal of us; yet not to forgive is to imprison ourselves from moving-on and living to appreciate the fullness of the love we have to offer each other. Forgiveness in marriage means instead of focusing on what draws us apart we look to what brings us together. This is not always easy, but our Lord stands at the ready to shower us with whatever grace it takes for us to be merciful and loving. Sometimes it is easier to forgive when we look at things from a different perspective. Sometimes seeing it as something I too might do helps. A very simple way to adjust our perspective of things is to see the situation from the perspective of “Just like me.” It helps to view the hurt or offense by adding to our assessment of the offense the statement “just like me.” For example, "my spouse is stubborn, just like me.” Sometimes it helps, like Saint Euphrasia, whose life we celebrate today, to distract ourselves lest we fall prey to temptation. At times to avoid responding to her negative feelings Euphrasia would distract herself with work. The Lenten exercises of fasting and prayer can be very helpful in aiding us in working through things needing our forgiveness. Our Lord forgives us time and time again, and we are called to do the same. In marriage we are called to forgive time and time again, just as our Lord forgives us. So, forgive, one more once. Make a great day!
Today we recall the good life, gifts, and work of Saint Euphrasia.
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