Good Morning Digitial Neighbors! Happy Sunday ADD Irregulars, WSN Aficionados, Friends & Refugees, Early Birds & Later Dayers, PHAM & Misfits, Conversants, Lurkers and Wanderers. In Cath-O-land it is Divine Mercy Sunday, and we celebrate the Mercy of God revealed in Jesus. Even if you are not a believer in Da Jesus or even the great Sky God, I suspect most of us at Locals agree that the world needs more mercy, more reconciliation. more healing of the division that separate humanity.

One can forgive another without that person ever knowing he or she was the object of forgiveness. The injured, the wronged can chose to forgive and let go of the pain and angry associate with the violation against them. It is a choice. Living in the wound of the injury, letting it define your life narrows your acceptance of life and mutes your own growth as a person. It is very difficult, many cannot grow past horrid injuries that others inflict upon them. Humanity can be cruel and acts against our neighbors can be monstrous. It is the stuff of real nightmares, Only grace and the presence of kind souls might open the door to healing and even then it might be beyond many.

One can be sorry for their past and willing to make amends and not find forgiveness. People do not have to forgive one another, mercy can be withheld. For Disciples that should not be the case, but not all are Disciples of Divine Mercy. Others embrace and practice mercy as they see fit according to their own morality and ethics.

Forgiveness is difficult for some to grasp, it is not an erasure of the wrong that was experienced but a willingness to look beyond that moment or series of injury. You can never undo the wrong you have done, you can take accountability for it, make amends were possible and strive to live better in the future. It is the spiritually of many 12 Step groups. I am not a fan of forgive & forget, I think that leads to a life of disassociation with the past and does help us learn or grow from past lessons. Momma Peggy said "Sorry is the beginning- changing shows that you mean it." The changing part is rarely perfect, but rather a difficult climb out of bad behaviors, distorted desires and the brokenness that no one can escape.

In the world sandbox, not all views, attitudes and behaviors can be reconciled. Some are so opposed to each other that strife and conflict seem unavoidable. One can chose to let bygones be bygones, but you are only free to do that as long as you are ignored. Once the neighbors comes a knocking, you have to deal with it. Today is a day of prayer for me for mercy and reconciliation. For Disciples I pray for reconciliation with God and neighbors. For all of Seekers and Questioners on the path, I pray that you can find reconciliation in your life if it is needed with family or friends.

One final thought on mercy, one cannot seek mercy to escape justice with one exception. The Luminous offers mercy now so that we can stand before His justice with gratitude & joy. In this world, mercy does not give you a pass on justice. Yes, I am aware that justice is poorly applied these days and I am one of the cynics of how it is manipulated in society and in the world. It is not a cause for contentment.

Have a great Sunday Digital Neighbors! Know of my appreciation and prayers for all of you. - The Friar