DAY 8 - FORGIVENESS
When my mom, Kuya Vigil and I went on a Holy Land Pilgrimage in February 2018, we did the Way of the Cross via Dolorosa and had to carry our own mini crosses. It ended in the tomb of Jesus at the Holy Sepulcher. Jesus showed us what true forgiveness is when He asked His Father to forgive us despite our sins. When people betray you, learn to forgive.
Forgiveness is a personal choice. Holding a grudge has the potential to kill you. Studies have shown that your body's response to anger is to produce hormones like adrenalin and cortisol which increase your heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, body temperature, perspiration, as well as the levels of glucose and fat in your blood stream. These changes in your physiology and blood chemistry damage your heart muscles and the walls of your blood vessels and also affect the blood flow which can result in irregular heartbeats, narrowing of your blood vessels, and coronary spasm eventually leading to death. Learn to forgive others and yourself too because God has forgiven you.
PAUSE
From Colossians 3: 12-13, "... bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another, as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do."
PRAY
Holy Father, grant me the grace to be truly sorry for my sins and to forgive those who had done me wrong. May I not hold a grudge but instead free myself from anger and hatred so I will recover from my illness. In Jesus Mighty Name. AMEN.
PERFORM
Today, think of a person who hurt you in the past. Forgive him or her as you let go of painful experiences.