Forgiveness and Mercy

Dear Friend,

This weekend our readings direct us back again to the theme of forgiveness and mercy. Each one in its own way spurs us to see as the Lord sees.   

Jesus’s Gospel parable dramatizes the tragic consequences flowing from this lack of vision. He presents it in response to Peter’s question about how many times he (Peter) is to forgive someone who’s wronged him. I’d suggest you read the parable through the lens offered by Alice Camille. As is often the case with Alice, she’s onto something! “If ever someone was locked in the embrace of sin,” she writes, “it’s the servant in this parable about mercy. Though compassion is shown to him, he’s incapable of returning it. Watch the way he treats his fellow servant! His unforgiveness imprisons him in the same way.” Yes, we often imprison ourselves in the deep shadows of rage, while just beyond the prison walls the light of Christ is shining full blast.  

And sometimes that light can hurt our eyes. Read on and discover what Saint Francis wrote on the matter. A friar wrote to him seeking his counsel about how to approach a brother under his care whose behavior was - we don’t have details - quite out of line. Francis’s response? “You must consider as grace all that impedes you from loving the Lord God and whoever has become an impediment to you, whether brothers or others, even if they lay hands on you… I wish to know in this way if you love the Lord and me, His servant and yours: that there is not any brother in the world who has sinned – however much he could have sinned – who, after he has looked into your eyes, would ever depart without your mercy…”

Saint Francis, pray for us!

Gratefully,

Father Dan