Finding the Strength to Forgive

Posted by Molly

Like all of us, I try to be a good person. Some days it’s harder than others.

Right now I am struggling with feelings of anger toward someone who has terribly hurt my father. Someone who I knew was not genuine before he did but he was so happy that I could not bear to tell him. And now this person has broken his heart without any remorse and I am filled with anger at her. I know we are supposed to turn the other cheek. I know we are supposed to find a way to forgive and to love all of God’s people. I want to do it but this week I just can’t.

And my conflict at this time of year makes me think of the Virgin Mother and how she dealt with watching people torture and kill her son and was able to forgive them while I can’t find it in my heart to forgive someone who hurt my dad’s feelings. At Easter we spend most of our time thinking about Jesus and what he went through in order to be resurrected and save us all. However, I think Mary’s side in the Easter story is almost as important to us as mothers and care takers of our families. Her example is one that I know I will never live up to but at least it gives me something to strive for. And someone to look to for guidance and help when I struggle, which honestly, is quite often.

My friend introduced me to the Ignatian style of Contemplative Prayer. It involves reading a Bible passage or thinking about the Bible stories we already know and then using our imaginations to delve deeper into the story. When we use our imaginations to enter these stories, we can put ourselves in the place of someone like Mary and begin to really empathize with her plight. For me, being able to do that makes me feel closer to her.
I hope it will help you be closer to Mary during this Lenten season.