The Real + True Podcast
The Catechism is not a textbook, a collection of ideas, or a set of rules. It is the faithful echo of a God who wishes to reveal himself to us and desires us to respond. Our mission is to pass down and pass along the gift of our faith by creating beautiful, captivating, and relevant content inspired by the Catechism of the Catholic Church. And we are making this content in multiple languages and accessible for free to people all over the world. The Real+True Podcast is part of Real+True, a global initiative of Our Sunday Visitor (OSV) under the patronage of the Holy See. Visit realtrue.org for more information, including videos and other materials to learn more about the Catechism on your own or with your parish.
The Real + True Podcast
Mercy Myths, Forgiveness Conditions, and the Lord’s Prayer
In this episode of the Real+True Podcast, hosts Edmund Mitchell and Emily Mentock dive into the complexities of forgiveness as reflected in the Lord's Prayer. They discuss the importance of understanding the catechism's teachings on forgiveness, exploring common myths and misconceptions of mercy. The conversation includes practical advice for implementing forgiveness in daily life and how to understand forgiveness in relation to reconciliation.
(00:00) Edmund and Emily introduce the episode, focused on the petition "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us" from the Lord's Prayer. They discuss how this short but powerful petition invites deep reflection on common misconceptions around forgiveness.
(10:25) Edmund and Emily debunk the idea that forgiveness is just an emotional release, using neuroscience to show how it reshapes our brain’s response to anger and resentment. They clarify that true forgiveness doesn’t excuse wrongdoing but extends honest mercy while upholding justice.
(17:50) Edmund and Emily explain that forgiveness doesn’t excuse the wrong or erase the memory, but frees our hearts by letting go of demands on the offender. They note that reconciliation is valuable but only possible when both parties choose it.
(28:19) Edmund and Emily explore how forgiveness and reconciliation can diverge, noting that while full restoration isn’t always possible, we’re called to discern when to pursue peace and when to set healthy boundaries. They illustrate how “willing the good” of others—whether in marriages or teen friendships—lets us extend mercy even when relationships change.
(39:10) Edmund and Emily show that accepting mercy is strength, not weakness, and invite the prayer “Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” They close with a “forgiveness examine,” using Gospel truths and Ignatian visualization to lay resentments on the cross and embrace God’s healing.
(49:14) Edmund and Emily close by describing a powerful Ignatian-style meditation of visualizing your hurts placed on the cross and transformed by Christ. They encourage listeners to engage mind, heart, and the senses in prayer to unblock forgiveness and receive God’s mercy. Finally, they invite everyone to revisit earlier Catechism teachings on reconciliation and join them online at realtrue.org to continue exploring the faith.
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