I know I have been forgiven so much.
Not just by God--of course, yes--but by others. People I have hurt, knowingly or unknowingly or at some level in between. Things I have said, done, not said, not done: flowers my clueless clumsy feet have trampled on. Things that maybe I meant to sting a little, to have some sort of effect, yet caused more pain than I will ever realize. Moments of impatience or inattention--caused by laziness, tiredness, ignorance, or my own woundedness. Somehow I am still loved by others; people still want me in their life, in their company.
Never forget this. I cannot help being hurt; I should not pretend that I haven't been, try to erase it within myself. But I can forgive.
A good Saint to pray to in this situation might be the little known Saint Rafaela Maria Porras. You can listen to a sermon on her life here (it's only 15 minutes): http://www.audiosancto.org/sermon/20050619-Heroic-Forgiveness-Saint-Rafaela-Maria-Porras.html
ReplyDeleteAs always you are in my prayers my friend.