Forgiveness

Dearest Ones,

Think of some past hurt - it may be something in your childhood, abuse from a spouse or disappointment from one of your children. Each of us has suffered a huge blow in life. Some have carried the hurt or burden all their life. Jesus tells us how to deal with such evil. Even after we have forgiven the persons involved, the memory comes back again and again. We will probably never forget - that's all right. Forgiveness is only true when we forgive the "unforgettable". It is not in our power to forget - we can't forget, but we do have the power to forgive. The most important thing about being hurt is the desire that wells up within us to pay back, to seek revenge. Revenge is a poison we take into ourselves to punish another. But it doesn't hurt them - it hurts us because it causes bitterness. Bring your hurts to the Cross this Lent. Jesus teaches us how to forgive, when he forgave those who were torturing him, saying, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." I heard of a broken-hearted family in Texas, whose 73 year-old mother was murdered. The accused was brought to justice and because his family was poor, the children of the victim offered to pay his legal fees! The San Antonio newspaper carried a front page picture of the parents of the accused and the victim's family embracing at the funeral. The victim's family spoke of their forgiveness, saying, "We have lost our mother and you have lost your son. We forgive you and your son." How beautiful! It's impossible not to feel the hurt, but we need to ask Jesus to give us a heart like His. He was completely innocent and yet he forgave his enemies. Whatever we forgive is nothing compared to this. We need to remember that we, too, have hurt others and need forgiveness. Lent is an excellent chance to come closer to Our Lord through the Sacrament of confession. It's hard to really believe that Jesus Himself forgives us through the words of the priest, but we know priests were given the power to forgive sins when Jesus said these words, "Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven, whose sins you shall retain, they are retained." When I go to confession, I try to forget all about the priest and think only of Jesus in his place. It's so easy to skip confession or put it off for another time. We may be tempted to think we'll go to confession just before we die. But what if we die an unexpected death? Then it's too late. The devil will try every way possible to help you make excuses for not going. That's because he knows how much grace and peace come from confessing our sins and leaving the confessional with a happy heart. I don't think anyone enjoys confessing their sins, just like no one enjoys going to the dentist, but great joy and relief will be yours, if you do. How beautiful when families go together to confession - even if some of the children are too young to go to confession, if they see their parents going, it makes a lasting impression. Some people can't think of any sins. In that case, start with forgiveness. Open your heart, search in all the corners for any hidden unforgiveness. Have you forgiven all? Have you inflicted pain toward others? Did you withhold your love? Have you ruined anyone's good name? Any jealousy, revenge? Who are you holding a grudge against? Sins of the mind are the most deadly because all sin begins in the mind. God sees our thoughts and longs to free us from their evil impact on our souls. Ask Jesus to help you make a good confession. You can let go of what is upsetting and hurtful and allow something beautiful to enter. If your heart is open, it can never stay broken for long.

We are called to have a heart more and more like Jesus.

Sister francelle