Reflections on forgiveness

• Notes from Fr Wayne's homily today:
- God demands we forgive the terrorists -- "How in God's name can He expect us to do that?!"
- Need to understand what does forgiveness really mean?
- It is accepting the reality that justice and punishment ultimately belong to God. -> No matter what certain politicians may say, we humans cannot deal out "the ultimate punishment;" that's called "hell" and only God can sentence someone to it
- Difference between "forgiveness" and "no punishment"
- Forgiveness does not mean that there's no punishment for sins, even if God forgives them -- otherwise, there is no justice. God is both just *and* merciful! (This is where Purgatory comes in)
- It also isn't pretending the offense never happened and allowing yourself to be abused again and again.
- Forgiveness means letting go of anger, fear, vengeance, wrath, etc. -> you must "forgive from your heart"
(Connection: Story of Cain and Abel -- God punished Cain, but he also had mercy on him and forbade anyone from harming him. "justice tempered with mercy." All human life is sacred to God, not ours to take. "Do not be so quick to deal out death in judgment. Even the very wise cannot see all ends.")
- What good does it do to hold onto anger? To hate and condemn a whole religion and ethnic group because of the actions of a few?
- On a purely human level, if we do not allow ourselves to forgive, it means we let them win -> overriding purpose of terrorism is not murder but to instill terror, anger, and hatred.
- And they did win in a big way! Effect on US culture (paranoia, inane "security" measures - grasping at straws for a feeling of safety, hatred towards foreigners, esp. Middle Easterners in general, Muslims in particular)
- Readings today call us back to "what makes us Christians?" - Our ability to forgive
- God demands we forgive others because we are all sinners ourselves.
- We are also all God's children - even terrorists.
- No one is born a terrorist; people are taught to hate
- All those terrorists on 9/11 were once someone's adorable little toddler
- What went wrong in their lives to make them choose to do something so evil???
- Ultimately only God knows for sure.
- Therefore, God is the only one who can judge
- We trust that He is both merciful and just

- Jesus repeats over and over again "Do not be afraid."
- What is the driving force in your life? Love or fear?
- "Love casts out all fear."

Today we remember those who died and pray for the thousands more who survived but were left with severe physical, spiritual, and psychological wounds.

Pray for our ability to forgive, for God to set free those still enslaved by anger, hatred, and fear.

Pray for our enemies, for all who hate us.

And pray for our own Christian witness and renewed faith in God, who is both just and merciful.

~*~

While I didn't lose anyone in the attacks, I have lost someone I loved dearly to murder. I understand the pain, the anger, the "Why, God?!?" I understand the cry of someone's blood for justice. But I also understand just how powerful God's healing can be, how freeing forgiveness is. Because of God's grace, I was able to honestly pray that my cousin's murderer didn't get the death penalty, that his chance for redemption not be stolen from him, and that his time in prison not drive him away from God but into His loving arms.

I make the same prayer today for terrorists and everyone else who commits violence against their neighbor.

Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

God is good,
All the time.
All the time,
God is good.