Friday of the First Week of Lent

Today’s Gospel emphasizes forgiveness. As we do our daily Examen of Conscience, we can ask ourselves how willing we are to forgive. Are we always willing to forgive the little things – like someone we don’t know and will likely never see again holding up the checkout line at the grocery store – but not the person who criticized, and maybe rightfully so, for something we did at work? We can ask ourselves if God is so willing to forgive us for our sins and we want to model our behavior in his image, why is it so hard for us to forgive those who have trespassed against us? Forgiving is fun. Forgiving is empowering. If we try it, we will like it. 

So as we continue on our Lenten journey, if we have not yet made up our mind about what to give up for Lent, maybe holding grudges would be appropriate.  Learning to be more forgiving with be a great Lenten grace.