Saturday
of the First Week of Lent
March 6, 2004
Scripture:
Deuteronomy 26:17-18; Matthew 5:44
Reflection:
I was watching Good Morning America one “snow day”
in January. Charlie Gibson was interviewing two 22-year-olds
who had met in a less than desirable way. At age 15, the young
man shot a paintball pellet into a group of teenage girls as
a joke, blinding one for life. The young man wrote a letter
asking for forgiveness and the woman forgave him. Seven years
later, their story of forgiveness, compassion and the undaunted
practice of peace was good news.
In the face of war, conflict, and terrorism can we imagine good
news? Or does our language abound in retaliation and revenge?
In the very recent past we have numerous examples of amazing
attempts to walk courageously in God’s ways:
* veterans returning to their places of conflict to help with
infrastructure restoration and relationship building;
* relatives of those killed in Oklahoma City visiting and forgiving
Tim McVeigh;
* so many individuals making strides toward understanding, reconciliation,
a peaceful tomorrow after 9/11. Peculiar? Yes. God’s way?
Most definitely! This Lent, do we have the courage to be “peculiarly
God’s own” and to “walk in God’s ways?”
Suggested Action:
Write a love letter to a person who has hurt you or to someone
you despise. Try to imagine what makes this person happy and
what causes suffering in this person’s life. Forgive this
person and promise to pray for him/her.
Sr. Amy Zychal, IHM
Scranton, Pennsylvania
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