The Feast of St Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr.
"After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.”
At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.”
"Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, “Why do you harbor evil thoughts?
"Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?
"But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”
"He rose and went home.
"When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men." (Matthew 9: 1 - 8).
Thursday July 6th 2023, 13th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Maria Goretti (1890 - 1902). Italian. Virgin and Martyr.
Maria was barely twelve years old when she was attacked by Alessandro Serenelli, a 19 years old man who tried to rape her. Maria resisted fiercely. Alessandro stabbed her to death.
Maria forgave him in her death bed. Alessandro spent 27 of 30 years in prison. Maria appeared to him in a dream and brought him flowers.
Alessandro went to Confession and became reconciled with God and with the Church.
Alessandro Serenelli was in the audience at the Vatican when Maria was canonized in 1950.
Alessandro later joined the Capuchin monastery.
St Maria Goretti is the patron saint of purity, young women, rape victims and youth.
Our Gospel of today from Matthew 9: 1 - 8 deals with Sin and Forgiveness of Sin. Jesus scandalized the Scribes by forgiving sins.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ caused St Maria Goretti to forgive Alessandro who stabbed her several times before she died.
Once upon a time, I struggled with alcohol abuse. I kept it secret and tried everything I knew to heal myself. Persistence did not break the resistance of the demons holding me captive.
Then one Saturday afternoon, in the Sacrament of Penance, I confessed this same sin again.
As I got to the pew and knelt down to do my penance, I heard distinctly an inner voice:
"If you want, I can heal you." I said: "Yes Lord. Heal me."
I have not touched a drop of alcohol since that day. It has been over 25 years.
Jesus is the Master of the 2nd Chance. He offered the Paralytic man a 2nd Chance for a new beginning.
He offered the Apostle Peter a 2nd Chance. Jesus offered Alessandro a 2nd Chance. He offered me a 2nd Chance.
We are saved by grace through faith. The day Jesus freed me from the oppression of alcohol by His merciful love, I received a free gift but I cooperated with Jesus like the crippled man and Alessandro by saying "Yes Lord. Heal me."
Where do you need healing in your life? Jesus is always passing by. Are you ready for Him?
The Church honors the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in July.
For Devotion, Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ and other prayers, click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/04/devotion-to-most-precious-blood-of.html?m=1
I read your reflection every day, but today felt particularly touched because it was so reassuring to be reminded that God does not forgive us just once, but patiently and lovingly does so time and time again. We all struggle with repeated sins and I thank God for His patience and love and pray that I may be as forgiving to others as He is with me.
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