A Prayer for Forgiveness
Amelia's Christmas Novena - Day 7
When I learned about colorblindness as a kid, I thought it must be terrible to not see colors. Sometime later, I found out I was colorblind, and just didn’t know it.
I used to have a similar feeling when I saw ads for St. Jude’s hospital on TV—how terrible it must be for families of children with incurable diseases. And then we discovered Amelia had a genetic disorder that would eventually kill her.
St. Jude’s hospital is named for the patron of lost causes. Tradition tells us this became his patronage because his full name is Judas, not Iscariot. Some Christians feared invoking the wrong Judas, and so he was rarely given veneration. Thus, Saint Jude was especially eager to intercede for anyone who offered prayed for his assistance, even the most desperate situations.
Both St. Jude and Judas Iscariot were fallible, sinful humans in life, as are we all. But Iscariot believed his sins were beyond forgiveness, that he was beyond redemption. Saint Jude, now at rest with Jesus in His Father’s house, knows differently. Even now on Earth, his good reputation has been restored, and he’s well known for his miraculous intercessions.
We were blessed to see a relic of St. Jude when it came to Los Angeles earlier in the year. Although we didn’t receive a miracle then, we can always pray for his help again. Perhaps Amelia’s cause wasn’t quite lost enough in May. Or he knows there’s a larger plan that we can’t see yet. Either way, St. Jude, please pray for Amelia, and everyone who knows her.
Amelia’s Christmas Novena - Day 7
O Lord, Word of God, You, whose glory is complete, came to us in perfect humility as a child in the womb. Your love for us and Your humility is unsurpassed and brings us to our knees in prayer and worship.
Your incarnation forever changed the world.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
O Lord, infant Jesus, move us to forgive others as you forgive us! Your Divine Mercy is unending! We pray for Your Divine Mercy on us and that we may participate in Your mercy by forgiving others this Christmas.
We also pray for the healing of Amelia, and that her miraculous cure will bring all who know her closer to You.
May Your Holy Will be done in our life and with these intentions.
We pray that the work of salvation that Your first coming began will reach fulfillment in each of us.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
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