Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” They divided his garments by casting lots. The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Messiah of God.” (LK 23:35-36)
The Cross is a great school for us. We learn about infinite love and divine mercy. And Jesus, our teacher and our master teaches us by example that God is truly love and that God is most merciful. After all the rejection, harsh words, hate and anger, Jesus remains on the Cross to show us what true love looks like and what Divine Mercy sounds like when he prays to the Father to forgive those who have offended him, rejected him, abused him, neglected him. Doesn’t that include us? Aren’t we guilty of offending Jesus? Our merciful God has sent his Only-Begotten Son into this world to save us, to love us, to forgive us. But this requires that we seek forgiveness with a contrite heart and desire to mend our ways, to change our life and sin no more. The Examen Prayer from the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius is a great tool in examining our minds and testing our hearts in ways we might have offended God and failed to love one another. The format is easy to follow and can easily be used in daily prayer. First place yourself in silence and ask God to set his gaze upon your heart. Be mindful of God’s presence. Then Give thanks to God for the graces and blessings received throughout the day. Then ask the Holy Spirit for the grace to know your sins and to reveal to you the ways you have offended God, family, friends, neighbor, enemy, self. Then review your thoughts, your actions, your feelings, your conversations throughout the day. Then with a contrite heart, ask God to forgive you. With the help of God’s grace, desire to change your heart and to amend your life and your ways. Finish your prayer of examination with an “Our Father.” The more contrite your heart can be, the more you will come to see and experience the God who loves you.