Forgiveness and Redemption

“Forgiveness is a above all a personal choice, a decision to go against the natural instinct to pay back evil with evil.” St. Pope John Paul II

I was recently asked to donate money to an American non-profit group that supports ex-convicts reintegrate into society after incarceration. My first reaction was one of disbelief. I thought that here is another organization asking for money. It seems endless. However, I attended a Catholic cultural conference once in the US and I listened to many lectures and discussions and saw many exhibitions. The New York Encounter as it was called seemed so interesting. While I was there, I heard a talk from someone who had spent time incarcerated. There was no anger in his voice, no hatred for what had happened to him and no malcontent. I asked him after the talk how this could be. The answer I got was simple – Christ.

“Fix your minds on the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ inflamed with love for us. He came down from heaven to redeem us. For our sake, He endured every torment of body and soul and shrank from no bodily pain. He, Himself, gave us an example of perfect patience and love. We, then are to be patient in adversity.” St. Francis of Paola

I have read about two saints that struck me. Blessed Charles of Austria who succeeded the throne in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. His reign was short-lived, and he and his family moved to Maderia, Portugal where he lived his final days in ‘prayerful poverty’ away from the opulence of the castle he had been accustomed to. His wife lived another 67 years likely with the same humility. Bl. Alexandrina Maria da Costa jumped from a window to avoid being sexually assaulted. She broke her spine and was left paralyzed. She lived on the Eucharist and experienced many mystical visions. I am always in awe of such great Catholic saints. They are witnesses that would be difficult to comprehend in a time when instant gratification is the norm. But the Church always can be assured that saints will be raised up by God to show us that His love is stronger than our failures.

“No one heals himself by wounding another.” St. Ambrose

It is always easier to seek revenge. It seems logical to hate and our reactions might begin with cynicism if it was not for Christ. Difficult family relationships, hurts, persecutions, and attacks sometimes seem all too common. I reflect sometimes about how even St. Paul wrote to Timothy and asked to be accompanied. He had only Luke with him, and he asked for Mark to be sent to him. We need to be accompanied on the journey. The road ahead is arduous, and it is filled with potholes. It is easy to fall. We cannot turn to hatred because love is our starting point. It is Christ.

“You must believe in truth that whatever God gives, or permits is for your salvation.” St. Catherine of Siena