Father, thank you so much for dispelling our (my) false understanding about Christian forgiving, you are really a priest after Our Lady's heart. We are so grateful for your priesthood, I keep you in my prayers, Kevin
Thanks very much, Father. I have been struggling for three years to “forgive” someone who has hurt not only me, but others in the same way and has no remorse. If he had the chance to do it again, he would. Now I know I should stand ready to forgive, but the other party needs to acknowledge what he did and take steps to repair the wrong he’s done. Thanks again for straightening out my understanding.
If he has "no remorse" and would "do it again" if he could, he may be incapable of acknowledging what he did and taking steps to repair the damage. You may need to protect yourself from him because he's dangerous. In this case, I believe, you can ask for the grace to pray for his salvation, but you may also need to ask for the grace to keep him permanently out of your life. Please see this video by Deborah Rankin, in case it helps < th-cam.com/video/W9ShBebtAbs/w-d-xo.html >
@@bringlovetolife Thanks for your concern; I've received similar warnings from others. I have no current interactions with this person and thank the Lord for removing me from that situation.
Forgiving this person is your responsibility. It is for your benefit. Unforgiveness affects our relationship with God and with others. If you wait for the other person to repent you could wait forever and go to your grave with unforgiveness. In the Our Father we ask God for forgiveness for our sins and forgive those who have sinned against us.
Forgive doesn't have to mean 'forgiving their sin' or 'allowing them back into your life'... it means to remember that the devil is our enemy, let go of the hatred, wish them well by wanting justice and for them to repent.......... plus your peace of mind is way more valuable as allowing yourself to stay upset just stresses you out. Be upset, let it flow and then ask Jesus to take it away or to help you.
@@thomasmore4468 no it's not you fool. If someone is not sorry why would you forgive them? Are you cruel or something? Telling someone they MUST forgive someone who isn't even sorry who badly hurt them is cruel and wicked and is nonsense. You are wicked. It's not their responsibility to forgive anyone who isn't sorry. You are a false teacher and a cruel tyrant
God bless you, Fr. John. It is very important for people to understand what true forgiveness requires. For our own good, when we have sinned we must be willing to acknowledge our sin and to restore as best we can what we have harmed. With God's grace it is always possible.
A relative told a 13 year old girl she would go to hell if she didn't forgive the man who molested her 3 months after the incident. That was 30+ years ago; the result was the girl is now angry at both of them. It was like a double attack. She works to forgive, but the best she can do is pray. The fear never leaves, and the man never went to prison for his crime. If the relative would reach out it would certainly help the young woman.
Teresa Baker-Carlton perp going to prison would not, in itself, heal the girl nor convert the perp. God will truly work His Divine Justice, consoling those who have suffered, and punishing those who have WILLFULLY sinned... eventually. This fact should be a strong remedy for that girl. She should also offer prayers for the conversion of the relative and of the perp, or for their souls if they have already died.... or she could read ten minutes of Old Testament per day for a while, to see how Our Heavenly Father thinks... By the way, that girl is my twin sister.
@@granmabern5283 this young woman lives in fear every day of her life because she is afraid he will show up at her door. He lives in this state only about 3 hours away. Sending him to prison isn't going to happen now, but her relative apologizing would go a long way toward letting this victim know it wasn't her fault, and no one in her family blames her for what this man did. Right now she keeps telling herself it's not her fault, but is caught between the comment that she's going to hell if she doesn't forgive, and the question as to why. How does she say I forgive, while she fears she is at fault? It's a vicious cycle of pain for her. What she needs, and always needed, is prayer for healing, not judgement and not telling her what she MUST do.
Teresa Baker-Carl Yes, it was unfortunate that a relative misinformed her like that. I hope she stays prudent and safe...I hope she offers up her sufferings in union with the sufferings of Christ. I hope she gets on with her life, too. Many, many, many women have been abused, even tortured, and have let go of their past and risen above it, with the help of God’s Grace. If a woman obsesses over past trauma, and nurtures hatred and fear in herself, she could indeed ruin her own life and even destroy her own soul. Hate the sin, not the sinner. Buy cayenne pepper, a big dog, and pray to your Guardian Angel... and move on. That girl in Austria who was kidnapped and abused for years in a hole under the perps garage, said she forgave him every day, so as not to destroy her own soul. God will punish the unrepentant.
I’ve watched this at least a dozen times over the past three years. I’ve been worried about the lack of justice in the false forgiveness doctrine adopted by so many people. Without the virtue of justice, mercy is licentiousness. Licentiousness is sin.
Thank-you so much Father for unpacking what true forgiveness really is as I've been searching for the truth on this topic for far too long and O thank-you Holy Spirit through the gift of Understanding.
The number of times the word 'repent' appears in the bible must be significant. I would love a homily on the difference between 'acknowledging ' a sin 'confessing ' a sin and 'repenting' of a sin. Thanks for your homilies for me they are inspiring.
Like many have said here, it’s great that Father is actually speaking about this. More priests should do so and get this crap out in the open to root this cancer out of our Church. I agree mostly with everything he said, BUT I wish he would’ve clarified more... He says that before forgiving someone, they first should admit what they did was wrong, be sorry, etc. (the other steps). But what if they DON’T ever acknowledge wrong for whatever reason (they can’t, or won’t, or don’t think they were wrong, etc.), holding on to bitterness & anger hurts US, so without forgiving in some form, how do we then let go and let God have the final justice so we can heal and move on with lives that reflect God’s love and holiness? And what about the way that sometimes an offer of forgiveness FIRST (before they’ve expressed sorrow at what they did) can change someone’s heart and move them to change? Like a story I heard recently from one of my readers, her hubs was killed by a drunk driver & her son told the police to tell him he was forgiven right after it happened & it changed this man’s life, he then repented and wanted to change! In Gina’s case, she SHOULD be so angry about what happened (at what happened AND the sickening cover up) & also should seek punishment for the priest & those who covered it up, because this is what they deserve AND to protect others. But when it didn’t happen, when life royally sucks sometimes and people don’t pay for their crimes as they should, how then does she move on? If this happened to my daughter I honestly can’t imagine how long it would take for the horrific pain and anger to heal, but I pray that we’d somehow be able to lean on Jesus, knowing He hates what happened even more than we do, and that this vile human will pay in the next life if not in this one. I hope we could also even, somehow, have pity on the criminal’s messed up soul... I’ve always thought that forgiveness was one way to be able to move on to live a beautiful life in spite of the evil in the world. And obviously forgiveness never means what they did was okay, or that you have to be chums with the person who hurt you, but I thought it meant you’re no longer letting that pain have power over your life anymore. Maybe I’ve been wrong, just thinking out loud here...
Thank you for this proper explanation; but, then HOW does the True Forgiveness happen IF the Wrong-Doer Refuses to be Sorry & Refuses to See Their Wrong-Doings? If we have explained how they hurt us & let them know we are willing to Forgive and Forget, yet they remain HeartLess & ConscienceLess with never an apology nor any desire to mend or repent... HOW DO WE TRULY FORGIVE like Oud Lord Forgives? And HOW can the Victim ever receive the closure to ever Heal? Clearly, we tried to do what was best for the Wrong-Doer's Soul; but when they rebuke the need for sorrow ... HOW can the Victim Truly Forgive , Heal, & MOVE ONWARD? Praise Our Most Merciful Savior forever amen!
Very good homily. Forgiveness seems to be a one of the mayor blind spots in the Western world, for some reason. I think it comes and goes with all other important subjects which have been neglected or ignored or downplayed or transformed or killed since VAII. The importance of a correct understanding and application of forgiveness is crucial, both inside and outside the Church. Again, very good homily.
This sermon cleared up some confusion I had about forgiveness. It does NOT negate the value of virtues Christ praised, such as meekness, patience etc. “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” These words of Christ will continue to guide me. My own sins offend the Infinite Majesty and Purity of God. Yes, people have hurt and offended my puny self. Nothing I suffer here on earth can compare to what God has forgiven me. I will use this sermon as an educational guideline for when people I am responsible for, need to seek forgiveness. Including myself.
I really appreciate this sermon. What you call false forgiveness I have called disparagingly the forgiveness rap. I have had it laid on me while I was asking individuals to sit down with me and discuss what had happened. Have you ever read "The Sunflower"? It was written by the Nazi hunter and is about whether he should have forgiven the men who murdered his family.
Thank you for this much, much needed homily Father Hollowell. There are studies (e.g., "The Sociopath Next Door," by Martha Stout - see the 5 minutes TH-cam review of this book by Deborah Rankin) citing that 4% (1/25) of the general population is sociopathic. These are people with no conscience, who NEVER admit their responsibility for hurting others, often drawing people into their web with pity plays, and they have ZERO empathy for others. They can be great actors, crocodile tears on demand for example. They are EXPERTS at gaslighting others. Such people MUST be avoided. Pray for their salvation, absolutely, Jesus died for them. But save YOURSELF! Because they can, will, and do destroy people.
Of the two thieves hanging on their crosses with Jesus, only one went to Paradise. I wonder how the "hell is empty" crowd handles this? Yet another great homily, Fr.
Thank you for your clear explanation forgiveness. In many ways it has bother me for I believe there should be a balance of forgiveness and repentance. What is it to save your own soul by forgiving and loose the other soul for not repenting?!? One may also show mercy but acknowledgement on the other party should also reflect; if not, the intentions become more clear for abusing. One could only pray for their repentance and conversion.
Thank you Father This makes so much sense of both the process, and why I struggle so much when continually 'poked' by the 'Christian' perpetrators to 'Forgive! You're the Christian aren't you?!' while they show no true remorse and even maintain their harmful & sinful behaviour. I am indeed ready with forgiveness & constantly pray for them, for my heart to be forgiving, & ultimately for true reconciliation. My question is what should one do in the meantime in terms of a relationship with them? In my case it is close family (my Father who claims to be Catholic & my siblings who do not practice their faith).
Father. Good morning. Thank you for your homily 🙏🙏🙏 I googled the definition of forgiveness and I got this. The root of “forgive” is the Latin word “perdonare,” meaning “to give completely, without reservation.” That’s the best I could find ... Then, I thought Holy God gives Himself completely to a soul and I imagined Him as a river coming into someone’s soul. That is forgiveness. When we stop the flow of that “river”, meaning when we ask God to forgive us, but not the brother whom we have injured, then the river can not run through us and forgiveness is not allowed to be perfect in us. There is another event then. When the soul has no living water running through it, the soul dries and dies. If a soul is open to forgiveness and TO GIVE FORGIVENESS, then the “river” of Grace flows THROUGH IT. No soul can contain Holy God without letting Him Flow through. Holy God IS THE ONE SOURCE OF FORGIVENESS. My place in forgiveness, is then, to ASK GOD TO GRANT ME TO BECOME AN OPEN VESSEL FOR FORGIVENESS TO FLOW THROUGH. I am close ? I think forgiveness has been over simplified and I never actually thought if it as deeply as today. Thank you 😊 Holy God bless us all. 🙏👍
Thank you Father for at least there is a scandal plaguing the Church. Not one mention in my N.O. church since it broke. "We've had enough of exhortations to be silent! Cry out with a hundred thousand tongues. I see the world is rotten because of silence! " - St Catherine of Siena
You know, Father Howell, this sermon cleared up much. But, to be sure I went to Luke 19 where the Zacchaeus / Jesus story is. Jesus says, "...today salvation has come to this house." Hence you are correct. Until Zacchaeus came clean salvation eluded him. Thanks. Keep up your work. We're out here.
(Continued) Father Hollowell, please consider a follow up on discernment in relationships and friendships. Your astute examination of “false forgiveness” might include the lack of instruction given Catholics on avoiding bad influences in friendships and relationships. So often Catholics are sermonized on “loving everyone” (aka “false forgiveness”), without examining the cost of keeping bad company. Your perspective on this would be GREATLY appreciated. I would argue that the Fifth Commandment prohibition against SELF-HARM plays into this situation. Combine this with the prevalence of sociopaths and you have many lives damaged permanently. Teach people to pray for the salvation of everyone, WITHOUT EXCEPTION, or ask for the grace to do that, but teach people to flee from those who would harm, damage or destroy them, and to recognize that such people abound today.
For decades I had been volunteering and attending daily morning Mass at the church next door. However because the arrogance of the recent pastor and gossip among the parishioners, I stopped going there. Though I have forgiven them but It hurts.
Henry Ho Hello. I sure hope you are continuing to honour God by practicing elsewhere, in Christ by Mary. It is normal to feel pain in this life. Christ wants to sanctify our sufferings and reward us in eternity for the sufferings we offered up
Good talk. Once again, this scandal didn't break in 2002. We knew all about it in the mid 80s and the bishops did little other than to cover their own rear ends. Our bishops are pathetic.
The abuse was going on before the 1980s. Priests with secret wives, affairs, raping nuns, homosexual monks and drunken, womanizing friars was old and reoccurring news by the Middle Ages. The paradigm shift post-1962, was that seminaries began to be lax in the admitting of- and the toleration of- people with SSA (Same Sex Attraction) The Kinsey report and other events opened up the general public's eyes to things that most people were not aware of; or at least not willing to talk about. Males who are disciplined enough, smart enough, tough enough, to get through the seminary are alpha males. Alpha males are (naturally, without the restraint of God's grace) are domineering and, in some cases, predatory. Mix a dominant personality with the loosing of a society's moral code; then allowing people with SSA into the seminaries was a recipe for disaster.
Dear Reverend Father, if forgiveness has no value unless the offender has apologised then why did Jesus ask God the Father to forgive his offenders, before he died, when the offenders never apologised ?? What is my status if i am willing to forgive but my offender never apologises ?? Please help me to know.
Yes, for a Christian to become reconciled with God and others they need to know what they have done wrong, and ask for forgiveness. However, it is very possible to forgive someone who isn't asking for it. A great example for that is the victims' families at Mother Emmanuel Church in Charleston, SC after Dylan Roof shot and killed their loved ones. Most everyone was astonished that so many of them forgave Dylan and told him that at his initial hearing. Many years later, we discover that those who forgave him, have been able to pick up the pieces and move forward. Those who have not forgiven him, because he has never apologized, cannot move forward. They have no peace. So, I agree with this in one way, because these are the steps a Christian needs to go through to ask for forgiveness, but I still think it is possible to forgive without that step. Reconciliation requires then to come forward and admit the wrongdoing and ask for forgiveness.
Last thought, the wife should forgive her husband like the lord forgives, not a sentence of servitude, 5 years of doing the dishes, fine. So how does the lord forgive a betrayal, an affair ?
Interesting. I still think of forgiveness as not wishing someone to go to hell or be harmed but to wish them well...... But i also agree that you are allowed to be hurt, angry, and want justice for evil done to you by someone else, especially if it was something as vile as being raped........ And as for them being sorry about it, I'd bring it up that if they don't repent they will have to answer to Jesus about it. I'm not gonna wait around for an apology, sometimes, people just don't want to admit what they did to you was wrong, and I won't hold my breath. They also can fake their apology. But it would be nice if they did anyway.
He did not, Kathy. Jesus died for our sins, so that we can be forgiven for our trespasses. Being His followers, we are to repent and ask for forgiveness and then we receive it. If not, it would be of no use to become His followers, for then the entire world has already been forgiven by means of His act on the Cross and injustice would pay of and win.
🤔 I have found a little problem with your tolerance towards anger that in my opinion contradict the Gospel. Jesus Teaches About Anger 21 “You have heard that it was said to our people long ago, ‘You must not murder anyone.[a] Anyone who murders another will be judged.’ 22 But I tell you, if you are angry with a brother or sister,[b] you will be judged. If you say bad things to a brother or sister, you will be judged by the council. And if you call someone a fool, you will be in danger of the fire of hell.
One thing I have noticed is that the Gospels (especially synoptic) seem designed to first make us uncomfortable and then comfort us again, rinse, repeat. The stakes are real; we're playing for keeps. But mercy is real, too. How do we balance the two? That's the key question. The Judge is not an algorithm but a Person, and none of us will fully understand His judgment.
If you're mad about something and you're not going to take it anymore, you're feeling anger, a strong ( demonic!) emotion you experience when you think someone has done you wrong. If you want to scream and kick, you're feeling anger. This feeling is absent in Heaven because is by definition is negative. We had two wars in Heaven driven by anger father. Demons are angry because Jesus destroyed the plans they had. God's teaching is about how to be good because God's the perfect standard of good.
@@FatherJohnHollowellVery controversial point of the theology father. I would point on Thomas Scott (1747-1821) opinion in that matter he was an influential preacher and author who is principally known for his best-selling work A Commentary On The Whole Bible, for The Force of Truth, and as one of the founders of the Church Missionary Society.
Father, thank you so much for dispelling our (my) false understanding about Christian forgiving, you are really a priest after Our Lady's heart. We are so grateful for your priesthood, I keep you in my prayers, Kevin
Thanks very much, Father. I have been struggling for three years to “forgive” someone who has hurt not only me, but others in the same way and has no remorse. If he had the chance to do it again, he would. Now I know I should stand ready to forgive, but the other party needs to acknowledge what he did and take steps to repair the wrong he’s done. Thanks again for straightening out my understanding.
If he has "no remorse" and would "do it again" if he could, he may be incapable of acknowledging what he did and taking steps to repair the damage. You may need to protect yourself from him because he's dangerous. In this case, I believe, you can ask for the grace to pray for his salvation, but you may also need to ask for the grace to keep him permanently out of your life. Please see this video by Deborah Rankin, in case it helps < th-cam.com/video/W9ShBebtAbs/w-d-xo.html >
@@bringlovetolife Thanks for your concern; I've received similar warnings from others. I have no current interactions with this person and thank the Lord for removing me from that situation.
Forgiving this person is your responsibility. It is for your benefit. Unforgiveness affects our relationship with God and with others. If you wait for the other person to repent you could wait forever and go to your grave with unforgiveness. In the Our Father we ask God for forgiveness for our sins and forgive those who have sinned against us.
Forgive doesn't have to mean 'forgiving their sin' or 'allowing them back into your life'... it means to remember that the devil is our enemy, let go of the hatred, wish them well by wanting justice and for them to repent.......... plus your peace of mind is way more valuable as allowing yourself to stay upset just stresses you out. Be upset, let it flow and then ask Jesus to take it away or to help you.
@@thomasmore4468 no it's not you fool. If someone is not sorry why would you forgive them? Are you cruel or something? Telling someone they MUST forgive someone who isn't even sorry who badly hurt them is cruel and wicked and is nonsense. You are wicked. It's not their responsibility to forgive anyone who isn't sorry. You are a false teacher and a cruel tyrant
Thank you Fr. Hollowell for the great lesson in righteous anger and true forgiveness.
Will definitely be listening to this again. Thank you fr. Hollowell
God bless you, Fr. John. It is very important for people to understand what true forgiveness requires. For our own good, when we have sinned we must be willing to acknowledge our sin and to restore as best we can what we have harmed.
With God's grace it is always possible.
A relative told a 13 year old girl she would go to hell if she didn't forgive the man who molested her 3 months after the incident. That was 30+ years ago; the result was the girl is now angry at both of them. It was like a double attack. She works to forgive, but the best she can do is pray. The fear never leaves, and the man never went to prison for his crime. If the relative would reach out it would certainly help the young woman.
Teresa Baker-Carlton perp going to prison would not, in itself, heal the girl nor convert the perp. God will truly work His Divine Justice, consoling those who have suffered, and punishing those who have WILLFULLY sinned... eventually. This fact should be a strong remedy for that girl. She should also offer prayers for the conversion of the relative and of the perp, or for their souls if they have already died.... or she could read ten minutes of Old Testament per day for a while, to see how Our Heavenly Father thinks... By the way, that girl is my twin sister.
This sermon has bowled me over. News to me... wonderful news.
@@granmabern5283 this young woman lives in fear every day of her life because she is afraid he will show up at her door. He lives in this state only about 3 hours away. Sending him to prison isn't going to happen now, but her relative apologizing would go a long way toward letting this victim know it wasn't her fault, and no one in her family blames her for what this man did. Right now she keeps telling herself it's not her fault, but is caught between the comment that she's going to hell if she doesn't forgive, and the question as to why. How does she say I forgive, while she fears she is at fault? It's a vicious cycle of pain for her. What she needs, and always needed, is prayer for healing, not judgement and not telling her what she MUST do.
Teresa Baker-Carl Yes, it was unfortunate that a relative misinformed her like that. I hope she stays prudent and safe...I hope she offers up her sufferings in union with the sufferings of Christ. I hope she gets on with her life, too. Many, many, many women have been abused, even tortured, and have let go of their past and risen above it, with the help of God’s Grace. If a woman obsesses over past trauma, and nurtures hatred and fear in herself, she could indeed ruin her own life and even destroy her own soul. Hate the sin, not the sinner. Buy cayenne pepper, a big dog, and pray to your Guardian Angel... and move on. That girl in Austria who was kidnapped and abused for years in a hole under the perps garage, said she forgave him every day, so as not to destroy her own soul. God will punish the unrepentant.
@@teresabaker-carl9668 she should NEVER Forgive the person a d look forward to his death and that will set her free.
Thanka, Father H., for a second time! this is a go-to sermon on the topic.
I have to say thank you Father ure Homily has been an answer to a prayer for me thankyou
This is one of the most important and clear cut homilies that ANY HUMAN could listen to today! ❤️🙏🏻
Great homily, thank you Fr. John
I’ve watched this at least a dozen times over the past three years. I’ve been worried about the lack of justice in the false forgiveness doctrine adopted by so many people. Without the virtue of justice, mercy is licentiousness. Licentiousness is sin.
Thank-you so much Father for unpacking what true forgiveness really is as I've been searching for the truth on this topic for far too long and O thank-you Holy Spirit through the gift of Understanding.
Thank you Father. I ask God daily for strength and courage to forgive the other and for conversion to take place in the other.
Fr. Joe, well explained with examples that stick in the mind and therefore put into action. Thanks be to God for the way you laid it out.
The number of times the word 'repent' appears in the bible must be significant. I would love a homily on the difference between 'acknowledging ' a sin 'confessing ' a sin and 'repenting' of a sin. Thanks for your homilies for me they are inspiring.
Wow!!! Best sermon ever. You are truly blessed.
Like many have said here, it’s great that Father is actually speaking about this. More priests should do so and get this crap out in the open to root this cancer out of our Church.
I agree mostly with everything he said, BUT I wish he would’ve clarified more...
He says that before forgiving someone, they first should admit what they did was wrong, be sorry, etc. (the other steps).
But what if they DON’T ever acknowledge wrong for whatever reason (they can’t, or won’t, or don’t think they were wrong, etc.), holding on to bitterness & anger hurts US, so without forgiving in some form, how do we then let go and let God have the final justice so we can heal and move on with lives that reflect God’s love and holiness?
And what about the way that sometimes an offer of forgiveness FIRST (before they’ve expressed sorrow at what they did) can change someone’s heart and move them to change? Like a story I heard recently from one of my readers, her hubs was killed by a drunk driver & her son told the police to tell him he was forgiven right after it happened & it changed this man’s life, he then repented and wanted to change!
In Gina’s case, she SHOULD be so angry about what happened (at what happened AND the sickening cover up) & also should seek punishment for the priest & those who covered it up, because this is what they deserve AND to protect others. But when it didn’t happen, when life royally sucks sometimes and people don’t pay for their crimes as they should, how then does she move on?
If this happened to my daughter I honestly can’t imagine how long it would take for the horrific pain and anger to heal, but I pray that we’d somehow be able to lean on Jesus, knowing He hates what happened even more than we do, and that this vile human will pay in the next life if not in this one. I hope we could also even, somehow, have pity on the criminal’s messed up soul...
I’ve always thought that forgiveness was one way to be able to move on to live a beautiful life in spite of the evil in the world. And obviously forgiveness never means what they did was okay, or that you have to be chums with the person who hurt you, but I thought it meant you’re no longer letting that pain have power over your life anymore.
Maybe I’ve been wrong, just thinking out loud here...
Thank you for this proper explanation; but, then HOW does the True Forgiveness happen IF the Wrong-Doer Refuses to be Sorry & Refuses to See Their Wrong-Doings?
If we have explained how they hurt us & let them know we are willing to Forgive and Forget, yet they remain HeartLess & ConscienceLess with never an apology nor any desire to mend or repent...
HOW DO WE TRULY FORGIVE like Oud Lord Forgives? And HOW can the Victim ever receive the closure to ever Heal?
Clearly, we tried to do what was best for the Wrong-Doer's Soul; but when they rebuke the need for sorrow ... HOW can the Victim Truly Forgive , Heal, & MOVE ONWARD?
Praise Our Most Merciful Savior forever amen!
Very good homily. Forgiveness seems to be a one of the mayor blind spots in the Western world, for some reason. I think it comes and goes with all other important subjects which have been neglected or ignored or downplayed or transformed or killed since VAII. The importance of a correct understanding and application of forgiveness is crucial, both inside and outside the Church. Again, very good homily.
This sermon cleared up some confusion I had about forgiveness. It does NOT negate the value of virtues Christ praised, such as meekness, patience etc. “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” These words of Christ will continue to guide me. My own sins offend the Infinite Majesty and Purity of God. Yes, people have hurt and offended my puny self. Nothing I suffer here on earth can compare to what God has forgiven me. I will use this sermon as an educational guideline for when people I am responsible for, need to seek forgiveness. Including myself.
I really appreciate this sermon. What you call false forgiveness I have called disparagingly the forgiveness rap. I have had it laid on me while I was asking individuals to sit down with me and discuss what had happened. Have you ever read "The Sunflower"? It was written by the Nazi hunter and is about whether he should have forgiven the men who murdered his family.
3 Hail Marys for you, Father.
Thank you for this much, much needed homily Father Hollowell. There are studies (e.g., "The Sociopath Next Door," by Martha Stout - see the 5 minutes TH-cam review of this book by Deborah Rankin) citing that 4% (1/25) of the general population is sociopathic. These are people with no conscience, who NEVER admit their responsibility for hurting others, often drawing people into their web with pity plays, and they have ZERO empathy for others. They can be great actors, crocodile tears on demand for example. They are EXPERTS at gaslighting others. Such people MUST be avoided. Pray for their salvation, absolutely, Jesus died for them. But save YOURSELF! Because they can, will, and do destroy people.
Really great homily... I wish more in the Church would acknowledge this.
justice must be served.
Excellent Homily . .. Thank you. Great to see you on form .. .
Of the two thieves hanging on their crosses with Jesus, only one went to Paradise. I wonder how the "hell is empty" crowd handles this? Yet another great homily, Fr.
This was an amazing homily given by a true priest.
This is so true Father and we know that abusers will continue to abuse and so its vital they acknowledge their sinful deeds.
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
John 1:12
We have come far in these respects, now we need to not fall the other edge of the road.
Thank you for your clear explanation forgiveness. In many ways it has bother me for I believe there should be a balance of forgiveness and repentance. What is it to save your own soul by forgiving and loose the other soul for not repenting?!? One may also show mercy but acknowledgement on the other party should also reflect; if not, the intentions become more clear for abusing. One could only pray for their repentance and conversion.
Thank you Father This makes so much sense of both the process, and why I struggle so much when continually 'poked' by the 'Christian' perpetrators to 'Forgive! You're the Christian aren't you?!' while they show no true remorse and even maintain their harmful & sinful behaviour. I am indeed ready with forgiveness & constantly pray for them, for my heart to be forgiving, & ultimately for true reconciliation. My question is what should one do in the meantime in terms of a relationship with them? In my case it is close family (my Father who claims to be Catholic & my siblings who do not practice their faith).
Father. Good morning. Thank you for your homily 🙏🙏🙏
I googled the definition of forgiveness and I got this. The root of “forgive” is the Latin word “perdonare,” meaning “to give completely, without reservation.” That’s the best I could find ...
Then,
I thought Holy God gives Himself completely to a soul and I imagined Him as a river coming into someone’s soul. That is forgiveness.
When we stop the flow of that “river”, meaning when we ask God to forgive us, but not the brother whom we have injured, then the river can not run through us and forgiveness is not allowed to be perfect in us.
There is another event then. When the soul has no living water running through it, the soul dries and dies.
If a soul is open to forgiveness and TO GIVE FORGIVENESS, then the “river” of Grace flows THROUGH IT.
No soul can contain Holy God without letting Him Flow through.
Holy God IS THE ONE SOURCE OF FORGIVENESS.
My place in forgiveness, is then, to ASK GOD TO GRANT ME TO BECOME AN OPEN VESSEL FOR FORGIVENESS TO FLOW THROUGH.
I am close ?
I think forgiveness has been over simplified and I never actually thought if it as deeply as today. Thank you 😊
Holy God bless us all. 🙏👍
Thank you Father for at least there is a scandal plaguing the Church. Not one mention in my N.O. church since it broke. "We've had enough of exhortations to be silent! Cry out with a hundred thousand tongues. I see the world is rotten because of silence!
" - St Catherine of Siena
You know, Father Howell, this sermon cleared up much. But, to be sure I went to Luke 19 where the Zacchaeus / Jesus story is. Jesus says, "...today salvation has come to this house." Hence you are correct. Until Zacchaeus came clean salvation eluded him. Thanks. Keep up your work. We're out here.
(Continued) Father Hollowell, please consider a follow up on discernment in relationships and friendships. Your astute examination of “false forgiveness” might include the lack of instruction given Catholics on avoiding bad influences in friendships and relationships. So often Catholics are sermonized on “loving everyone” (aka “false forgiveness”), without examining the cost of keeping bad company. Your perspective on this would be GREATLY appreciated. I would argue that the Fifth Commandment prohibition against SELF-HARM plays into this situation. Combine this with the prevalence of sociopaths and you have many lives damaged permanently. Teach people to pray for the salvation of everyone, WITHOUT EXCEPTION, or ask for the grace to do that, but teach people to flee from those who would harm, damage or destroy them, and to recognize that such people abound today.
For decades I had been volunteering and attending daily morning Mass at the church next door. However because the arrogance of the recent pastor and gossip among the parishioners, I stopped going there. Though I have forgiven them but It hurts.
Henry Ho Hello. I sure hope you are continuing to honour God by practicing elsewhere, in Christ by Mary. It is normal to feel pain in this life. Christ wants to sanctify our sufferings and reward us in eternity for the sufferings we offered up
How is Father John doing?
Good talk. Once again, this scandal didn't break in 2002. We knew all about it in the mid 80s and the bishops did little other than to cover their own rear ends. Our bishops are pathetic.
The abuse was going on before the 1980s.
Priests with secret wives, affairs, raping
nuns, homosexual monks and drunken,
womanizing friars was old and reoccurring
news by the Middle Ages.
The paradigm shift post-1962, was that
seminaries began to be lax in the
admitting of- and the toleration of-
people with SSA (Same Sex Attraction)
The Kinsey report and other events
opened up the general public's eyes
to things that most people were not
aware of; or at least not willing to
talk about.
Males who are disciplined enough,
smart enough, tough enough, to get
through the seminary are alpha males.
Alpha males are (naturally, without the
restraint of God's grace) are domineering
and, in some cases, predatory.
Mix a dominant personality with the
loosing of a society's moral code;
then allowing people with SSA into
the seminaries was a recipe for disaster.
Dear Reverend Father, if forgiveness has no value unless the offender has apologised then why did Jesus ask God the Father to forgive his offenders, before he died, when the offenders never apologised ??
What is my status if i am willing to forgive but my offender never apologises ?? Please help me to know.
Yes, for a Christian to become reconciled with God and others they need to know what they have done wrong, and ask for forgiveness. However, it is very possible to forgive someone who isn't asking for it. A great example for that is the victims' families at Mother Emmanuel Church in Charleston, SC after Dylan Roof shot and killed their loved ones. Most everyone was astonished that so many of them forgave Dylan and told him that at his initial hearing. Many years later, we discover that those who forgave him, have been able to pick up the pieces and move forward. Those who have not forgiven him, because he has never apologized, cannot move forward. They have no peace. So, I agree with this in one way, because these are the steps a Christian needs to go through to ask for forgiveness, but I still think it is possible to forgive without that step. Reconciliation requires then to come forward and admit the wrongdoing and ask for forgiveness.
Last thought, the wife should forgive her husband like the lord forgives, not a sentence of servitude, 5 years of doing the dishes, fine. So how does the lord forgive a betrayal, an affair ?
Interesting. I still think of forgiveness as not wishing someone to go to hell or be harmed but to wish them well......
But i also agree that you are allowed to be hurt, angry, and want justice for evil done to you by someone else, especially if it was something as vile as being raped........
And as for them being sorry about it, I'd bring it up that if they don't repent they will have to answer to Jesus about it.
I'm not gonna wait around for an apology, sometimes, people just don't want to admit what they did to you was wrong, and I won't hold my breath. They also can fake their apology. But it would be nice if they did anyway.
But didn’t Jesus forgive by giving his life?
He did not, Kathy. Jesus died for our sins, so that we can be forgiven for our trespasses. Being His followers, we are to repent and ask for forgiveness and then we receive it.
If not, it would be of no use to become His followers, for then the entire world has already been forgiven by means of His act on the Cross and injustice would pay of and win.
"Father"????
Didnt Jesus commad us that we should call no one as father exept God???
Even in worldly terms no catholic priest can be a "father" as they do not have children... at least officially 🤣🤣🤣
Call nobody here on earth father.
How do you call your father and mother then? I hope you are at least honest and consequent.
🤔 I have found a little problem with your tolerance towards anger that in my opinion contradict the Gospel. Jesus Teaches About Anger
21 “You have heard that it was said to our people long ago, ‘You must not murder anyone.[a] Anyone who murders another will be judged.’ 22 But I tell you, if you are angry with a brother or sister,[b] you will be judged. If you say bad things to a brother or sister, you will be judged by the council. And if you call someone a fool, you will be in danger of the fire of hell.
You really think that he said that it is ok to murder? I don't think that you listen very well!!
Anger isn’t sinful in itself. In Ephesians 4:26, Paul tells us, “Be angry but do not sin
One thing I have noticed is that the Gospels (especially synoptic) seem designed to first make us uncomfortable and then comfort us again, rinse, repeat. The stakes are real; we're playing for keeps. But mercy is real, too. How do we balance the two? That's the key question. The Judge is not an algorithm but a Person, and none of us will fully understand His judgment.
If you're mad about something and you're not going to take it anymore, you're feeling anger, a strong ( demonic!) emotion you experience when you think someone has done you wrong. If you want to scream and kick, you're feeling anger. This feeling is absent in Heaven because is by definition is negative. We had two wars in Heaven driven by anger father. Demons are angry because Jesus destroyed the plans they had.
God's teaching is about how to be good because God's the perfect standard of good.
@@FatherJohnHollowellVery controversial point of the theology father. I would point on Thomas Scott (1747-1821) opinion in that matter he was an influential preacher and author who is principally known for his best-selling work A Commentary On The Whole Bible, for The Force of Truth, and as one of the founders of the Church Missionary Society.