Dear Friends in Christ,
When the Risen Jesus appeared to and forgave His disciples, their lives were never the same. It made all things new. What a story they would have to share for the rest of their days! And what a love they would be required to imitate.
A saint who imitated Jesus is St. Maria Goretti who died a young martyr in 1902. During her final moments, Maria forgave her attacker, Alessandro Serenelli. After her death, Maria appeared to Alessandro, imprisoned and desperate, and she gave him 14 flowers—one for each of her wounds. In this miraculous encounter, Maria expressed again her forgiveness. Alessandro underwent a profound conversion.
Alessandro was reconciled to God in confession, and then Maria’s mother, Assunta, as well! She adopted Alessandro into the Goretti family. Their lives were never the same. Assunta, Maria’s siblings, and their brother, Alessandro, were all present for Maria’s canonization in Rome in 1950. Thank God for this triumph of love.
Very recently, the world witnessed Erika Kirk extend her forgiveness. “It is what Christ did, and it is what Charlie would do,” Erika said. We thank God for her witness and courage.
Such examples of love and forgiveness are luminous, humbling, and challenging. It is worth reflecting on and talking to God about our own attitudes and readiness in this essential part of our lives as close friends of Jesus. How well do we live the new commandment of Jesus “that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another”? Where am I doing well? Where can I stand to grow?
The Catechism (par. 2842) teaches us: “It is impossible to keep the Lord's commandment by imitating the divine model (Jesus) from outside; there has to be a vital participation, coming from the depths of the heart, in the holiness and the mercy and the love of our God. Only the Spirit by whom we live can make ‘ours’ the same mind that was in Christ Jesus. Then the unity of forgiveness becomes possible, and we find ourselves ‘forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave us.’”
The Catechism wisely goes on to note that this is something delicate (par. 2843): “It is not in our power not to feel or to forget an offense; but the heart that offers itself to the Holy Spirit turns injury into compassion and purifies the memory in transforming the hurt into intercession.”
God’s merciful love rescues us. It changes everything—how we live and approach our relationships and situations and our call to be saints! There are many daily opportunities to be led by the Holy Spirit to be patient, to be forgiven, to forgive, to reconcile, to serve—to love! How will we respond? Who knows how our courageous choices of love for God and others will bear fruit in our daily lives and the lives of others.
Lord, help all of us to love you and one another as you love us. Teach us and help us to forgive as you have forgiven us. We are ready to trust in the Holy Spirit who makes all things new.
Let us pray for and encourage one another!
Fr. John
