When forgiveness is really tough

(Graphic by Interpersonalcomm09)

Forgiveness is generally tough, but especially so when someone has been brutally murdered.

That’s when people come together to pray.  The Reverend Corey Close, pastor of Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Brooklyn, Iowa, recently led a prayer vigil for Mollie Tibbetts and those who loved her.

Close pointed out that when tragedy hits home, it’s that much harder to deal with.  We tend to

brush aside news reports about far-away places, thinking, “It can’t happen here.”  But “evil is in this world,” Close explained, and can therefore penetrate even the friendliest of towns.

Since “evil is irrational,” trying to figure all the whys and wherefores will lead to frustration.  The only way to ultimately combat evil is with love.  This is why we are called to forgive even the worst of criminals.

The priest then reminded his congregation that “Christ came to forgive us” because “we’re all in need of forgiveness…  None of us are exempt.”

Resources

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/mollie-tibbetts-vigil-we-need-to-pray-for-a-spirit-of-forgiveness-pastor-tells-community/ar-BBMjz3E?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=BHEA000

Copyright August 23, 2018 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved