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Gratitude and Betrayal: Family Reflection Video

Gratitude and Betrayal: Family Reflection Video

Holy lives of inspiration  |  Seasonal Reflections

Come to the Lord, for He is ever-forgiving.

I was recently at an event with a gathering of many laypeople, and the bishop there gave a beautiful homily about gratitude. Joy comes from being grateful, and when we do not appreciate the workings of the Lord, we find ourselves wanting other things.

Judas betrays Jesus because he does not have gratitude for Jesus and his purpose. I looked up the meaning of betrayal, and it reminded me of a general in the American Revolutionary War who was found out to be aiding the enemy side, and then had to live the rest of his life in exile, as a permanent Judas. It is important to remember we are all sinners, but God’s mercy can forgive even the worst of our sins.

Do we live alongside the Lord and truly ask for forgiveness when we sin?

About Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C.

Father Wilfred J. Raymond, C.S.C. (Father Willy), a native of Old Town, Maine, is the eighth of 12 children. He joined the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1964 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1971. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Stonehill College in 1967 and a master’s in Theology from the University of Notre Dame in 1971. He served in ministry at Stonehill College (1979-1992), Holy Cross leadership (1994-2000), National Director of Family Theater Productions, Hollywood (2000-2014), and President of Holy Cross Family Ministries (2014-2022). In addition to English, he is conversant in French and Spanish. He remains a diehard fan of the Boston Red Sox, even though he has served as Chaplain for the Los Angeles Dodgers.