This was a very special gathering. Mike Kellogg has stepped down as the Leader for Men’s Fellowship at St Denis due to his family’s upcoming move to Texas. This meeting marked the last time Mike will be able to join us (at least for a long while), and the Holy Spirit was truly with us.

Things got off on a wonderful note as Anthony gave this month’s Catholic Short on the Shroud of Turin (exhibit currently on display at Christ Cathedral in Orange). It was fascinating to learn all the details about the Shroud, and a very visual reminder of the suffering Christ went through for us.

Michael then led a discussion on Forgiveness. This was actually prompted out of a similar discussion that occurred during Men Praying Rosaries a few weeks prior. The MPR discussion had so much fire in it that Michael thought it would be a good thing to bring up with the rest of the men - and we were not disappointed. We looked at how holding on to resentment and unforgiveness only keeps us prisoner; but if we can learn to see the other person through the eyes of Jesus - to “will the good of the other, for other” - we can see how it really is possible to let go of that pain and live our lives in freedom.

"Forgive your neighbor's injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.
Should a man nourish anger against his fellows and expect healing from the LORD?
Should a man refuse mercy to his fellows, yet seek pardon for his own sins?
If he who is but flesh cherishes wrath, who will forgive his sins?"
(Sirach 28:2-5)

Additional material: Freedom Through Forgiveness