Forgiveness of our neighbours is the beginning of love for them - and not sanctimonious, 'noble' forgiveness, but real, inner, private forgiveness, that only you and God know about. As we've seen, the Lord's Prayer asks us to forgive others, and gives us forgiveness in proportion. Love of yourself does not bring forgiveness, or peace in your life. We are not our own best physicians - God knows your sorrows and 'hollow places' better than any other person, and only He can really fill them. If you remember the analogy we used in Leaflet 5, on grace, you will understand that your happiness will flow from the secure knowledge that you are shaping your 'face' into one that can see God's own Face forever.
Today There is a very useful concept in Catholic teaching known as the 'station in life'.
Your station in life is what you're doing, right now. That is what God wants you to be doing right now, and it is in doing that properly that you will help to find what God wants of you in the future. Through prayer and the sacraments, God gives every Catholic who asks for it, the graces necessary to his station in life - to help him get through the day, and to love God and his neighbour as he should. Again, there's no point asking God to give you credit for all the good you plan to do tomorrow, when it means you haven't done any good today. God is right here, and right now, in the present with you, and wants you to use every moment to working for His kingdom.