Wednesday, August 14, 2002
Meditation
Matthew 18:15-20
What is the key to good relationships? Trust, acceptance, respect, and love are certainly necessary. But every day we face sins and temptations that would seek to prevent us from giving and receiving the love and respect that are so vital. And experience tells us how easy it can be to give in or surrender to these temptations—and hurt the ones we love in the process.
This is why Jesus’ teaching on forgiving one another is so important. Forgiveness tempers justice with mercy. It frees us from bitterness and ill-will and opens us up to sharing the love we all know we crave. Forgiving someone who has wronged us is like canceling a debt. It costs something initially, but the long-term benefits are priceless: reconciliation, peace, unity, and a love that has been tested by fire.
A story from the life of St. Francis of Assisi illustrates the power of forgiveness. The story is told in the Mirror of Perfection that one day Francis met an acquaintance who looked troubled, and he asked him: “Brother, how are things with you?” The man immediately began to rant against his master, saying, “Thanks to my master—May God curse him!—I have had nothing but misfortune. He has taken away all that I possess.”
Francis was filled with pity for the man, and said, “Brother, pardon your master for the love of God, and free your own soul; it’s possible that he will restore to you whatever he has taken away. Otherwise, you have lost your goods and will lose your soul as well.” But the man said, “I can’t fully forgive him unless he returns what he has taken from me.” Francis answered, “Look, I will give you this cloak; I beg you to forgive your master for the love of the Lord God.” The man’s heart was melted by this kindness, and he forgave his master. Immediately, he was filled with joy.
Like St. Francis, we, too can be peacemakers and channels of God’s grace. When we pray for those who have offended us, it frees us to love as God loves. God’s grace has power not only to change us, but those who have done us injury as well.
“Lord, teach me how to forgive. May all who have hurt me or caused me grief know the power and freedom of your mercy and love.”
“Lord, teach me how to forgive. May all who have hurt me or caused me grief know the power and freedom of your mercy and love.”