Saturday of the First Week of Lent February 19, 2005 Scripture: Deuteronomy 26: 16-19; Matthew 5: 43-48 Reflection: At one time, we have either been hurt or else inflicted sufferings upon others. If unhealed these pains may form a hedge of hatred, anger or a grudge in our hearts. Then the angry words, silence and lack of peace grow within us. Throughout Scripture Jesus is constantly surrounding himself with sinners, Pharisees, and all kinds of obnoxious people. He did this to teach and help us. In the Our Father he taught his apostles to say, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” During the Christmas holidays, I received a long letter from a dear friend who was part of a Christian Peacemaker Team. A year before joining this group of remarkable people, she rented her home to an immigrant family, gave up all her possessions and volunteered to work and live in community at a hospice for homeless men with AIDS. At the end of the year she began training with the Peacemaker Team to see how they worked. She then went to Amman, Jordan; from there she went on a bus to Baghdad. Those three months were a time of hope and despair. Throughout those months the Iraqi people remained welcoming and grateful for their presence. When the bombs began to fall she was not only fearful but filled with grief and deep anger. She shared with me that her faith has been shaken. Returning home her journey from peacemaking had now turned into a journey of forgiveness. Suggested Action: Let us sit with our pains and hurts each evening during Lent and give all our grief over to Jesus, asking him to take over where we have left off, and let us realize we are all loved by Him. Sr. Maureen Therese Harun, IHM Scranton, Pennsylvania