Isaiah 65:17-21 / John 4:43-54
It is not that easy at all to forget the bad times of our lives, especially how we have suffered and was ill-treated by others.
These bad times are seared into our flesh and they stay in the deep recesses of our memory, so much so that we can even say we can forgive but we will not forget.
Well, to begin with, our memories are formed by our life experiences. Hence, when we have bitter memories we need to offer them to the Lord in prayer and ask for the His healing grace upon these memories.
Yet the memories of bad experiences can also erode our faith and make us feel bitter and angry with God.
Although very often we bring the sufferings upon ourselves, yet it is also very often that we blame someone else and that would also include God.
But we heard in the 1st reading that God will create new heavens and a new earth, and the past will not be remembered, and will come no more to men's minds.
And the Lord wants His people to rejoice because He wants to give joy and gladness to His people.
Yes, the Lord wants to heal us of our bitterness and resentment so that we can be a new people who will proclaim joy and gladness to the world.
Like the court official whose son was cured and he and his household believed, let us believe that with the Lord is mercy and forgiveness and healing.
Let us tell the Lord our bitterness and resentment, and in turn receive from Him the healing grace of joy and gladness.