Forgiveness: A Catholic Approach

by R. Scott Hurd

In this book, Scott Hurd writes of the spiritual, psychological, physical, and social benefits of learning how to forgive and find peace. Drawing from his pastoral experience, Hurd examines how human weakness affects such things as our ability to forgive and reconcile, our capacity to trust, and how we cope when a plea for forgiveness is rejected by a person we have wronged.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Catholic, Faith, Christian, Audiobook

144 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2011

Reviews

[Donald Jodon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an easy to read book that does a great job of showing what it means to forgive, what is meant by forgiveness, and why you should open yourself up to forgive anybody for any reason.

It all starts with seeing things from a different perspective. Father Scott Hurd tries to help us understand forgiveness from God's perspective instead of our own limited understanding of what "deserves" to be forgiven. Essentially, if we all got what we "deserved" as sinners who repeatedly go against God's will, we would all end in destruction. In true death. God forgives us, not because we "deserve" it, but because he desires to.

We have to learn to look past our own notions of forgiveness and understand that to forgive others is to save one self. It really is that simple. But it can be so hard, as Fr Hurd, shows us. He uses examples of rape and murder, and even the nazis as ways to understand how hard it can be.

I'm doing the book a great disservice by trying to summarize it here so briefly. The book is well-stated, easy to understand, and convincing. Give it a read!

[David Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing grace provided to me from reading this book. Praise God.

I’ve been suffering immensely after my wife divorced me nearly two years ago. Reading this book helped me receive God’s grace to endure in my desire to reconcile. I believe Forgiveness: A Catholic Approach can help anyone in pain who opens their mind to Jesus’ teaching. I say this as a degreed engineer whose faith was only the size of a mustard seed for so, so long but through my recent suffering is blossoming. Not in my time, but in God’s time.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great start on the life long journey of forgiveness. The chapters are all about 3-5 pages in length each and overall it's a quick read. Don't let its size fool you though. Sometimes big things come in small packages. Each chapter will open the door to deep thought and reflection on different aspects of forgiving. Again, this is only the beginning. You have to put what's written into practice. Don't wait to start reading and applying...life's too short.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know that I will read this book multiple times. It is packed with wisdom, scripture, theology, and very practical advice. Forgiveness is a decision, a process, a gift. What a gem of a book. I give this book my highest recommendation.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read, accessible, and and affirming. I only wish he had gone a little more into how to handle someone to forgive but unable to reconcile with. Most of the other steps would still help with that, but I just felt that it was addressed just a tad too briefly, since that open-endedness complicates the forgiveness process. But overall, very encouraging, and I found myself highlighting several sentences & quotations in each (short) chapter.

[Roberto · Rating 4 out of 5]

R. Scott Hurd addresses the preconceptions in our society that keep us from being more forgiving. I recommend this book to anyone harboring resentment over even the most heinous injury. This could be the book that allows you to alleviate the pain of bitterness.

[Ana Campos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about how to forgive. Forgiveness is a hard process but necessary for our mental health. We can forgive but not necessarily forget. Let it go and let GOD.

[Lori Kriens · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book our church is reading together for our Prayer group. Its so important to forgive that way you wont be bitter or resentful just peaceful and forgiving......