Forgiveness is the name of love practiced among people who love poorly. The hard truth is that all people love poorly. We need to forgive and be forgiven every day, every hour increasingly. That is the great work of love among the fellowship of the weak that is the human family.
― Henri J.M. Nouwen
I love poorly. Every single moment. Especially when I fail to think about God in going about my daily life.
Do I initiate conversation with my parents, with whom I fell out 15 years ago? What if they start harassing me again with the past? I’ve taken so long to heal from the hurts, and what if they hurt me again?
Do I smile at people around me? What if they start to think that it’s an “open invitation” and then they start being creepy and stalk me?
Do I give that poor man some money for a meal? Do I buy him a meal? What if he demands more and more?
I really like what Henri Nouwen has to say about forgiveness. I have failed my family, the lonely and neglected, and the poor and hungry around me. I need to love better.
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Originally posted at Catholic Rambles.
Image: PD-US
