What is forgiveness and why should I forgive?

AT A recent gathering, the conversation steered towards a friend’s challenging situation, where with great difficulty, they took steps in their life to forgive the other person and move on with their life. I then remember going home and thinking, what exactly is forgiveness? I remember feeling genuinely stumped. I knew how to forgive but I could not formulate into words what forgiveness was.

Forgiveness can be defined as: a conscious and deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment toward a person who has hurt you regardless of whether they deserve your forgiveness.

Being wronged is very painful and

Seniors hit the dance floor

Contributed by Jan Hunter

with Fr Gerard Lai Caloundra Catholic Parish

when we are hurt by those closest to us or when something unthinkable occurs. Forgiveness is not forgetting, forgiveness is not condoning or excusing, and forgiveness doesn’t mean you have to be best buddies after. Forgiveness is not a feeling, rather it is an active decision to let go of resentment and to relinquish the justice that you feel the other person owes you. Forgiveness is to recognise the pain, but to not let it define you.

The crosses of life can be very heavy and full of pain and suffering. Even the Gospels explain that Jesus, the Saviour of humanity had to suffer grievously. Jesus enters into our suffering with us and redeems it. After his resurrection, Jesus asked his disciple Thomas to touch his crucifixion wounds. The wounds were not completely removed, no, the scars were still present, however his wounds were healed. Likewise, it is not that we completely forget that people have wronged us, but after forgiveness we see the situation in a new light; the wounds might still be there, but released of our resentment, we can begin to heal.

Forgiveness doesn’t change the past, but it does enlarge the future. Go well and God bless.

GLASSHOUSE COUNTRY

BEERWAH: Sunday 9am

Mary MacKillop Centre, 160 Peachester Rd

GLASSHOUSE Country Senior Citizens Club had a great time hosting Caloundra Seniors for morning tea and lunch on 25th July. The splendid entertainment provided by Chas & Norm had us all singing along and up dancing to the well-known songs. A game of trivia followed by a barbecue superbly prepared by our members and of course, Bonnie our “Stalwart of the Kitchen”

Church Group Visits Historic House

Contributed by Charles Russell the group enjoyed a fellowship lunch together in the beautiful surroundings. It was interesting that some of the group remembered using similar items in their younger days that were on display in the house.

The Over 50’s Seniors Group of the Landsborough Seventh-Day Adventist Church enjoyed a lovely day together at historic Bankfoot House, a heritage listed property in the Glass House Mountains. area and was built in 1878.

Further outings are planned for the group during the rest of the year. Contact 0407101485 for further information.

A Bible Teaching, Community Loving, Hope Filled Church on the Hinterland

Sundays @ 9am

12 Cedar Street, Maleny malenypc.org.au

Glasshouse Country

Uniting Church

29 Twin Peaks Drive, Beerwah

Come and worship with us

Beerwah – Sunday 8.30am

Peachester Community Church –last Sunday of the month 5.30pm

Minister: Rev Dr Elizabeth Nolan Ph. 0448 358 774 Email: churchgcuc@gmail.com

GLASSHOUSE COUNTRY CALVARY CONGREGATION

You are most WELCOME to join us

9.00am each Sunday

Reed Street, Glasshouse Mtns (next to RSL) Sunday School, Women’s Fellowship, Bible Study

Contact: 5439 9341 or 5496 9671 www.glasshousemountains.lutheran.org.au

MOOLOOLAH: Wednesday 9am and 1st Sunday of month 4pm ST THOMAS, 31 Bray Rd

Office: caloundra@anglicanchurchsq.org.au

Priest in charge: Fr Paul Fletcher 0493 362 676

Local contact: Tony Halstead 0455 554 930

Catholic Weekend Masses

Saturday 5pm: Peachester Rd, Beerwah

Sunday 7am: Caloundra St, Landsborough

Sunday 9am: 45 Cedar Street, Maleny Ph: 5430 9390 9am to 1pm Mon-Fri www.caloundracatholicparish.net

BEERWAH CHURCH 27 Beerwah Parade

Sundays 9 30am & Kids Church

Arise Youth: Fri 7pm (grade: 7-12 | term time)

E: wecare@cotr.org.au W: churchontherise.org.au

MALENY CHURCH Maleny Sports Park, via Porter’s Lane

Sundays 9 30am & Kids Church

E: info@cotrmaleny.org W: cotrmaleny.org

Welcomes you each Saturday at 27 Maleny Street

9:30am - All Age Bible Study Hour

(Includes Children and Youth programs)

11:00am - Worship Service

First Saturday of the monthCommunity Lunch

Contact p: 0424 901 301 f: @LandsboroughChurch w: landsborough.org