What does it mean not to forgive? It means that I’m holding a grudge, a judgment, sometimes a hatred in my heart. And this poison to my heart. My heart is not pure; it is not free. It’s as if I’m caring a poison in myself. This does harm to me for many reasons.

What happens when we don’t forgive? It means I am held prisoner by my past. It is as though a chain is holding me in the past. I am not free to receive the graces of today. On the contrary, when I forgive, I am free. I am no longer in the state of dependence. I can be completely myself, and I can allow the grace of God to dwell in me. I can allow positive thoughts and hopes instead of stirring up a poison in myself. Forgiveness sets me free.

Be encouraged to ask for the grace of forgiveness and practice it.

Fr. Jacques Phillipe

The post Thoughts about Forgiving first appeared on AirMaria.com.

How can human freedom be reconciled with our submission to God?

Docility  to God does not make us into puppets. Being guided by God’s Commandments and by inspirations of the Holy Spirit leaves room for us to exercise our full freedom, responsibility, initiative, and so on. But instead of the use of our freedom being random, or governed by our whims, God guides it in the way that is best for us. It becomes cooperation with God’s grace… He is the source of our freedom; and the more dependent we are on God, the more freedom flows forth from its source.

What is freedom? It does not mean giving free reign to whim, but rather enabling what is best, most beautiful, and most profound in ourselves… If we submit to God, that submission will in fact strip off a sort of shell that imprisons us, to make room for all that is genuine in us… Submission to God prunes things in us but never gets rid of the best that is in us: our deep, positive aspirations. Just the opposite: it awakens and strengthens them, orients them, and frees them from obstacles to their fulfillment.

Fr. Jacques Phillippe

The post Docility to God and our Freedom first appeared on AirMaria.com.

Mary can help us open our hearts and eyes to the needs of our brothers and sisters.  She motivates us to acts of love and mercy through her maternal grace. Her tenderness and love has the force of faith. It can be compared to an army ready for battle. She is strong against evil, but with an inner peace and tenderness that she transmits to us.  In entrusting ourselves to Mary…we will better understand the mercy of God, and we will welcome it more for ourselves and for others.

Fr. Jacques Phillipe

The post Our Tender, Loving Heavenly Mother first appeared on AirMaria.com.