Comments on: Saturday March 21, 2020: Mercy, Mercy Me

By: ken mbaya

ken mbaya — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 18:18:38 +0000

thks for sharing the story of forgiveness . we need to forgive

By: Skip

Skip — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 14:18:20 +0000

John, I appreciate your reflections as I do all the writers here.
My take on this gospel reading – especially leading up to good Friday is Jesus yet again poking the pharisees and the learned in the eye. Jesus relentlessly and seemingly purposely provoking the pharisees. As Hosia writes “I slew them by the words of my mouth”.
To me it almost seems like Jesus is speeding up the inevitable. He tells his disciples (paraphrase) how much longer do I have to endure you.
Jesus knows how he’s going to die and it’s almost as Jesus – God is ready to get this over with.
Am I to far off base here?

By: Sandi

Sandi — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 13:44:11 +0000

John, thank you for sharing the stories of forgiveness under such horrible circumstances, one an act of cruelty and one an accident. Charles Roberts‘ family were mostly likely just as horrified as the community but had the added pain of not understanding how their own family member could do such a thing. The fact that their community recognized their need for compassion and forgiveness for something they didn’t do themselves is remarkable. The same is true for the forgiveness by the family when Matt Swatzell fell asleep after serving his community in a job that requires he risk his life. True forgiveness is a gift from God that helps the victims. Those that hold on to anger hurt themselves so much more than the one at whom that anger is directed. May we all turn to God when we struggle with the inability to forgive one who has hurt us.

By: James Gatti

James Gatti — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 13:02:33 +0000

Thank you for sharing about your father. I felt and acted the SAME way you did until I realized I needed to be “perfect” to OUR FATHER🙏🏻. My life after 5 decades has instantly changed. Thank you for your wonderful message.

By: J

Sat, 21 Mar 2020 12:07:40 +0000

I knew there was a reason I liked coffee so much!
That was really a beautiful commentary. May we all pray for forgiveness.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 11:49:31 +0000

Thank you John for a reflection that puts this lenten season in perspective . Be humble, be contrite offer it up and let Gods mercy flood into you life…what a feeling.

By: Joe

Joe — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 11:43:40 +0000

I love reading your reflections John. Indeed God is a merciful God who continues to call us despite our sinfulness. God bless!

By: Bill

Bill — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 11:40:56 +0000

Very powerful reflection John, very powerful indeed. C.O.F.F.E.E will serve me as a reminder of God’s forgiveness for all. Thanks.