September 13, 2026
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Choose to Forgive
[Peter asked,] “…how often must I forgive?” …Jesus answered, “…seventy-seven times.”
Matthew 18:21, 22

In today’s Gospel, Jesus said we must forgive others from our hearts. The Lord’s Prayer tells us that we will not be forgiven unless we forgive. Jesus even said we must love our enemies.

It is human nature to be angry at those who have harmed us. But I have noticed that those who hang onto hatred become stuck in the healing process. It becomes like a destructive poison inside them.

Forgiveness is not primarily an emotion. We can be angry at those we love. Forgiveness is found in the will, and so I encourage people to say: “I choose to forgive.” Just as our heavenly Father offers forgiveness to all, the Father also supplies the graces to us to extend forgiveness, even when we may not feel like doing so. 

Begin this day by recalling anyone for whom you harbor ill will and make an act of forgiveness: “I choose to forgive.” It can bring a profound internal peace.

- Msgr. Stephen Rossetti

Sirach 27:30—28:7 ✚ Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12 ✚ Romans 14:7-9 ✚ Matthew 18:21-35
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Comments

Salina (not in control)
September 13, 2026 at 03:58 PM

Sharing with you a summary of an excellent Sunday sermon I just finished watching online on FORGIVENESS ✝️ * Forgiveness doesn’t always mean forgetting * Forgiveness doesn’t always mean reconciliation * Forgiveness doesn’t come with exception (with whom or what) * Forgiveness is not a one time decision * How to forgive? *** Forgive candidly and humbly - it means I acknowledge the hurt, the pain and the wrong, but I understand my God is bigger than all that! *** Forgive completely - it means I have to surrender what I feel like I have a right to and the...
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freeter
September 13, 2026 at 02:46 PM

Amen. :)

Jamie
September 13, 2026 at 11:27 AM

I needed to hear this today… Connected a lot of dots for me with past resentments I thought I no longer held. The evil one is constantly in our ear, whispering to us why we should hold onto our anger, filling us with poison. Perhaps this is the most significant perspective on forgiveness. Thank you, Salina. Blessings to all the LFF.

Salina (not in control)
September 13, 2026 at 10:22 AM

The new perspective I learn about Matthew 18:22, “Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but 77 times!” ******* This morning, He is not telling me to keep forgiving 77 offenses, but it may take me 77 times to truly forgive one offense from my heart! How? To learn from Him *** 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow to keep His promise. He is not slow in the way some people understand it. Instead, He is patient with you. He doesn’t want anyone to be destroyed. Instead, He wants all people to turn away from their sins.“...
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Debbie H
September 13, 2026 at 10:19 AM

Amen!

CBR
September 13, 2026 at 08:50 AM

Lord help me to forgive the ones I have ill will against in Jesus name I pray Amen Amen Amen God bless us all

Holly
September 13, 2026 at 08:45 AM

Amen!

Gary
September 13, 2026 at 08:34 AM

" I choose to forgive." Thanks for your words today Stephen. Amen!

Mike
September 13, 2026 at 08:28 AM

Amen

Salina (not in control)
September 13, 2026 at 07:22 AM

Grateful for your continued petition in praying for my eyes and thankful for God’s healing in answering our prayers ❤️ Healing of my left eye was slow and very uncomfortable after surgery for 5 days and then I was able to drive Saturday, 9/12, morning as I was able to see above the air bubble in my left eye! ✝️ The air bubble was half the size (dime) Saturday evening as it (quarter) was the same morning! You can see the difference between my ‘angry’ (totally red) eye on 9/5 (two days after surgery) and my ‘calm’ (no red) eye...
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Bill L
September 13, 2026 at 04:06 PM

Good news, Salina. Good to hear from you, Ken!

Kjc
September 13, 2026 at 11:01 AM

Salina I will keep you in my prayers today. Eyes are not fun healing. Living faith family I will also pray for you guys this afternoon. Ken

Holly
September 13, 2026 at 08:51 AM

Thanks be to God for good news! Prayers for continued healing.

Sandy K
September 13, 2026 at 07:58 AM

Great news, Salina. Continued prayers for full recovery!

Sandy
September 13, 2026 at 07:45 AM

What a good update! Prayerful thanks!

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