Tuesday of the 3rd
Week of Lent
March 10, 2015 8:30am
I realize that sometimes
forgiving is very difficult.
Sometimes we forgive but cannot
and maybe should not forget.
Sometimes we forgive but cannot
and maybe we should not re-establish a relationship.
Sometimes forgiveness takes a
while – it is often more of a graduated process than an either/or or an on/off
switch.
All of this is true.
But still, Jesus asks us to
forgive.
That is the point of today’s
gospel.
I want to read a reflection from
one of the outstanding Catholic spiritual writers of our time.
He reflects on what forgiveness
does for the one forgiven and for the one who forgives.
Here is what he says and I will
leave us with this for our reflection today.
“To forgive another person from the heart is an act of liberation.
We set that person free from the negative bonds that exist between
us.
We say, ‘I no longer hold your offense against you.’
But there is more.
We also free ourselves from the burden of being the ‘offended
one.’
As long as we do not forgive those who have wounded us, we carry them
with us or, worse, pull them as a heavy load.
The great temptation is to cling in anger to our enemies and then
define ourselves as being offended and wounded by them.
Forgiveness, therefore, liberates not only the other but also
ourselves.
It is the way to the freedom of the children of God.”
