S11 E11: Lent Part 5: The Journey of Forgiveness
About This Episode
In this episode, we continue in our Lenten series as we journey through Sister Miriam’s book Restore. It’s not too late to join us! You can find your copy today at Ave Maria Press. This week we discuss the journey of forgiveness bringing us through the suffering, death, and resurrection to true freedom. We speak about the importance of grieving and encourage you to receive healing through the sacrament of reconciliation this Lent.
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Show Notes
One Thing We Love This Week
Sister Miriam’s one thing - Painting of the Visitation from Prince of Peace Church in Lake Villa, IL
Heather’s one thing - This video from Fr. Josh Johnson about inspiring black Catholics on the road to sainthood. You can also check out the trailer for A Place at the Table.
Michelle’s one thing - A Flame of God Himself- Reflections on the Song on Songs - Joshua Elzner. You can also purchase directly from the publisher here.
Discussion questions:
What stood out to you from this week’s episode?
What is your experience with forgiveness and being forgiven? What initially rises in your heart when encountering the topic of forgiveness?
What are the barriers to forgiveness in your heart - wanting control, wanting vengeance, wanting to forget about hurts, believing God won’t bring about justice or safety for you?
When it comes to forgiving others - are you more of a fault finder or more of a peacemaker? Why?
Journal Questions:
Imagine the posture of Mary’s heart towards the soldiers beating Jesus and the crowds jeering Jesus - Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to make the bitterness in your heart sweet. Imagine a conversation with Mary and ask her about her experience of forgiveness.
Take an inventory of the hurts you have not acknowledged or grudges you are holding onto. It may help to write these things down as a step to grieve your hurts, receive Christ and practice forgiveness even if it does not involve the other person.
How have you experienced grieving as a step in forgiveness?
Quote to Ponder
“To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless.”
Scripture for Lectio Divina
“And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again.”
This episode is sponsored by
Leanne Bowen Fine Art
Leanne is a Catholic Artist and stay at home mom. She just released a beautiful collection of Spring candles. One of the candle packs has a Tuscan Lemon candle paired with an Orange Blossom, and a Magnolia and Rose candle. They have beautiful paintings and quotes on them. Her most popular candle is Chrism scented, and smells exactly like the oil used at Baptism!
Leanne also has incredible prints in her shop. One of her recent prints is of Our Lady of Guadalupe, placing her mantle gently around a priest, as he lifts the Eucharist. Leanne makes beautiful wedding and Sacrament gifts, as well as great gems for Easter. If you are looking for a truly beautiful and unique gift, please visit www.leannebowen.com. She is offering 15% off to all our listeners through May 1st with the code ABIDE15.
Check out the Abiding Together Shop and Heather’s New Book!
Did you know that we have our very own Abiding Together shop filled with very cute mugs, t-shirts print stickers, scripture cards, and much more. Michelle has designed most of these items and they each reflect saints, quotes, and inspirations that have been a part of our podcast discussions over the years. A couple of my favorites are the quit talking to the dang snake. And our coffee is the eighth sacrament mug. This Easter we'd like to highlight the Saint story cards that would be great for your Easter baskets. Michelle created these in collaboration with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and Our Sunday Visitor. They feature Saint John Paul the second, Mother Teresa, Saint Therese, and St. Francis of Assisi. These story cards offer a new way to learn, pray, and play together while deeply reflecting on your own journey towards sainthood, you can order these using the code abide10 for 10% off. Just head over to abidingtogetherpodcast.com/shop.
Also Heather just finished writing a book called Abide: A Pathway to Transformative Healing and Intimacy with Jesus. This book asks questions like what if God's promises are real? What if we truly could live the abundant life that Jesus is offering to us? Through her personal stories, scriptural truth, church teaching and practical tools. You'll be invited to break through the barriers that prevent you from trusting and experiencing the deep love of Jesus and to be transformed by the freedom that comes when we vulnerably bring our entire selves to Jesus, the divine healer, restorer and miracle worker. You can use code abide22 at avemariapress.com for 20% off today.