This Sunday’s First Reading tells the story of King Saul taking 3,000 men to find and kill David, his worst enemy. David walked into Saul’s camp in the middle of the night and found the ruler soundly asleep. He had the opportunity to kill him right there, but he didn’t. David spared the life of the man who was trying to end his, for he trusted that God would keep his promise to give him the throne of Israel.
Forgiveness is never easy, particularly when the person who hurt us is someone close, like a family member. It can be easier to forgive someone we barely know. During his General Audience on November 4, 2015, Pope Francis said, “One cannot live without seeking forgiveness…especially in the family.” And then he adds: “the family is a great training ground for the mutual giving and forgiving without which no love can last for long.” Forgiving is not only something I do for someone else’s benefit, it is something that allows me to be free and be at peace.
There is no such thing as a perfect family. God’s love must be the model of our love, just as his forgiveness should be the model and foundation of our forgiveness. If we forgive our family members, we witness to a God that forgives, a merciful God.
Let us pray that we may love as God loves us and forgive as he forgives us, especially in our family. Amen.
Image credit: iStock.com/AldoMurillo
