Fr. Jim Tucker, a priest from our neighboring diocese across the Potomac River, posted the following story about a women in South America who was in a court room during the hearing against a man who murdered her young son.
As we move into the holiday season, a story such as this may help each of us who may be struggling with forgiveness, struggling with the very difficult challenge of asking forgiveness or even more painful the very act of forgiving another person who has (perhaps seriously) harmed us or a loved one.
As we move into the holiday season, a story such as this may help each of us who may be struggling with forgiveness, struggling with the very difficult challenge of asking forgiveness or even more painful the very act of forgiving another person who has (perhaps seriously) harmed us or a loved one.
A reader sends in this edifying story from Argentina, where a mother stood up in court and publicly forgave the man accused of killing her son (story in Spanish):... "Only prayer calms my sorrow each day. Yesterday I went to the Church of St Cajetan, I prayed to the Virgin, and thought about how my son is with God. But I also thought of you, who are so young. I won't hurt you. I just want to give you this." The woman opened her hand. There she held a rosary. She gave it to Chavez and said, "To accompany you throughout your whole life." Then she added, "Only God cures wounds. I forgive you. And if my son offended you, I ask your pardon. I loved him, and now I want you not to suffer." ...Then the two embraced in the middle of the court.
Reading this story, I prayed that God would give me the grace to be forgiving. I recall Ignatius of Loyola's prayer in which a few words apply here: ... to give and not to count the cost. How strong must that mother's faith be!
