If you were to distill everything you say in your life down to the most important words, what do you think those words would be?

I offer you in this post three statements each composed of three words each. Each little statement has the power to change your life and those around you.

Statement #1:  “I am sorry”

These three words coming from the heart of a truly penitent person have the potential to heal the pain in someone’s life. When these three words are spoken to God they open up a door to the heart of the Benevolent Saviour Jesus Christ who is always ready to help us to turn away from sin and walk a path of honour.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

It can be difficult to say “I am sorry”. Sometimes we delude ourselves into thinking when things go wrong that it’s somebody else’s fault.

We are all sinners. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8

Let us pray that Jesus gives us the courage to say the words “I am sorry” to God and to one another.

Statement #2:  “I forgive you”

Jesus taught us that “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7

When injustice occurs, it is natural to enter into a cycle of grief. In that cycle of grief we experience many emotions including anger. But if we never let the anger go it becomes like a cancer that infects our entire disposition. Failure to forgive can put us in a state of ongoing depression where all we do is dwell on the sense of injustice and loss.

Let us pray that Jesus gives us the grace to be able to forgive and move on with our life.

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew 6:14

Forgiveness is freedom.  Be free!

Statement #3:  “I love you”

At the beginning of my spiritual journey, I had a miraculous encounter with God. I was seeking Him and praying when I heard His voice in my heart. He asked me this question: “What is love?” At the time, not being evangelized and not going to Church I answered “Love is a feeling.” To this, God replied “wrong” in a gentle, kind voice. So I asked God “What is it then?” God said, “Love is a choice.”

Illumined by the Holy Spirit I realized that the type of love God desired did not have to originate by warm feelings in my heart. I realized He was telling me that love is the choice that honours God. It is the choice that chooses the path that will lead to Him being glorified. It is the choice that does His Will.

We can pray the Our Father prayer, but the big challenge is living it.  Are we really living “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  And if God forgives us in the same way as we forgive one another will we be forgiven?  “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

Jesus told His apostles” “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.”  John 6:38

Jesus struggled in the Garden of Gethsemane knowing that He was about to be killed for our salvation and He prayed:  “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”  Luke 22:42

Choosing to do God’s Will and surrender completely to God with trust and humility requires that we strive to live in a continuous state of spiritual discernment. We must continually ask ourselves is this choice honouring God? Or should I be making a different choice?  Sometimes we may be afraid of going down a path that may cause us to suffer and in those times in particular we need to remember the prayer Jesus prayed:  “Not my will, but yours be done”  Luke 22:42

We also need to consider the choices that we fail to do. Are we making God wait? Or are we living His Plan?

Love is the way that leads to an eternity with God and along that way we will all be challenged to humble ourselves and acknowledge our sins telling God and one another ‘I am sorry’. God will forgive us and we too are called to forgive one another.

There is too much violence in the world. Let us pray for God’s Holy Spirit to touch the hearts of all souls so that we may all be brought into a deep, intimate communion with Jesus.

If mankind were represented by a “tree of life” that was focused on giving the world the fruits of life, then the roots of that tree would be “faith”.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

When we sin the roots of the tree become damaged. We can no longer draw the life force we need to grow and bear fruit. But when we repent and acknowledge our sins the roots are restored and we can once more receive the grace that allows us to grow and fulfill our true purpose. The branches of the tree reach out to the sky in a loving embrace with its Creator, God, in the hope of yielding fruit. And the Sun, Our Holy Lord, who gives us light and love nourishes His trees and those who remain connected with Him always bear fruit in His garden of life.

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12

God’s dream is that you acknowledge Him and let Him embrace you, loving you and healing you, teaching you and guiding you to the promised land, Heaven!

Dear friends of Our Lord Jesus, I pray this day that Our Saviour opens your heart to His Holy Spirit of discernment. Help us O Lord to understand our shortcomings and to choose the path that leads us to eternal life. Please give us the grace to repent of our sins and to forgive those who have hurt us. We love You Holy Lord! We thank You for Your infinite love. We will stop every day at the time You died for us 3pm (in our local time zones) to remember Your Passion and pray for Your mercy upon all souls. We will pray for a Second Pentecost, for a time of spiritual renewal that will repair the roots of many trees so that we may bear the fruit You desire us to bear.  In Your Holy Name Jesus we pray.

Learn more about The Mercy Movement here.