Catholic Faith Formation Resources

"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love" — Psalm 103:8 ( NRSV ) Our sins separate us from being in right relationship with God ( cf. Isaiah 59:2). 1 Although our sinful acts can weaken, harm, and even sever our relationship with God, nevertheless, God is always ready to reconcile with us, forgive us, and restore us into right relationship as a child of God ( cf. Isaiah 55:7; Psalm 86:5; Romans 6:23; John 1:12; Galatians 3:26; 1 John 1:9). Unfortunately, too often people commit sins for which they erroneously believe there can be no forgiveness from God. They abandon or refuse to trust and hope in God's unconditional love and mercy. 2 Fortunately, although we may abandon God, God never abandons us. As the parable of the "Lost Son" or "Prodigal Son" — perhaps better called the "Parable of the Loving Father" — exemplifies, God waits with love and open arms for any sinner to return to Go...

Intolerance, hatred and violence are gripping our communities and tearing them apart. It is becoming a standard response by some against people who disagree with them or their group, or who do not hold the same opinions or values. Meeting hatred with hatred and violence with violence only provokes further retaliation and escalation of the situation. Take time to reflect on the following pearls of perennial wisdom: "An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind" — Mahatma Gandhi "If there is to be peace in the world, it must begin with me" — Thomas Paine. "We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves" —Dalai Lama. "Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love" —Francis of Assisi "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten we belong to each other" —Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta. "Peace* I leave with you; ...

" Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12:2) "Finally, brothers [and sisters], whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8) Many books and articles have been written about what it means to be a disciple— a learner or apprentice — of Jesus. Discipleship is an ongoing and continuing process of growing into a more loving and deeper relationship with God, and the people who God loves, as taught, exemplified, and lived by Jesus Christ— the human face of God for us. Through God's grace and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we strive to learn and follow what Jesus taught and how he lived his life centered on God and God...