Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
This will be our final study session on the themes from the movie "The Shack", which we have been studying the past five weeks. Of course the issues raised in this movie and the book of the same name, are ones with which we will wrestle the rest of our lives. The overarching theme is Forgiveness: forgiving God, forgiving ourselves, forgiving others, and being open to receiving forgiveness of our selves by God, others, and ourselves.
Our path will be to review:
Lesson 1:
Where is God when I need him the most?
Lesson 2: How does God see me?
Lesson 3: Why are you doing this to me?
Lesson 4: So you just let him get away with it?
We will be using the questions and material from Lesson 4 as we wrap up our discussion for this series. This topic is so important for us to consier and pray about as we, as a nation, deal with the most recent killing of school children and faculty in Florida.
I can think of few things that are more grievous than the abduction, abuse, and killing of a young child. I would find it truly difficult, if not impossible to just blow it over and move on. Is that what forgiveness is? In this study we will dig more deeply into judgement, conviction, and forgiveness of those who have "wronged " us and forgiveness for ourselves by ourselves and others whom we have wronged. What does God call us to do? How does God support and encourage us as we step into forgiving and being forgiven?
Key Verse: Luke 6:37-38
Luke 6:37-38 New International Version (NIV)
Judging Others
37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Quote from the movie: "You don't have to do this alone. I'm here with you" -Papa
Read and Reflect on Luke 6:27-42;
Matthew 18:21-35.
Who or what is difficult for you to forgive?
Is there someone whose forgiveness you need to seek?
How does forgiveness fit your understanding of God and your relationship with God?
This Epiphany Season, may the eyes of our hearts not be so blinded by the pain of loss that we miss the opportunity to have an "Epiphany", an Awakening, to the presence of God with us when we most need God to be with us.
I would love to hear from any of you, but especially from those who will not be able to join our class in person.
Reflect on your own spiritual journey.
Read, Pray, Reflect. Then, Come and Share!
Since I post this study on Face Book as well as the St Jerome's website, I invite comments and questions from any of you who are not able to be physically with us, but find this study meaningful and would like to be a part of it. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected].
Bless you all,
Fr Colin Kelly
