The Holy Fathers example of forgiveness

The above photo is of my beloved Papa, Pope John Paul II shaking hands with Mehmet Ali Acga, the man who shot him and nearly killed him many years ago.


During his Papacy, the Holy Father prayed with and FORGAVE the man who nearly ended his life as this is what God has ordained each of us to do. What a true example of Gods love and that of our Holy Catholic Church.


This past Sunday, I attended a beautiful Mass at my church.  An elderly couple (husband and wife) brought the gifts to the altar and the joy they had on their faces as they walked together hand in hand up the isle and back I will remember for my lifetime. I wanted to cry. It was beautiful to me. 


Then, Father's sermon touched on Gods love and how he knows that God's love is true...Father explained that he sees Gods love in those with whom he interacts that practice the sacraments and acts charity, humility, mercy and faith as a way of life. 


Father said he sees Gods love in some of the parish, in the Bishop and in the lives of every day people who help one another and the less fortunate. When he himself needs spiritual renewal, he presents himself before the cross in the Sanctuary for prayer. 


There were two sections to Father's sermon...the "Corporal Works of Mercy and Spiritual works...the Corporal encompasses, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick and burying the dead.  I do and continue to visit the sick and bury the dead.  I also try to show other acts of charity as God calls upon us to do.  I do not do these things for "show" but rather because God calls upon me to do so.


The Spiritual Works Father spoke of are to admonish sinners, counsel the doubtful, comfort the sorrowful and to be patient with those in error. The last of those really touched me as I have struggled with being patient with those in error. God was telling me it is alright and he is working with my heart in that area of my life.  If the Holy Father can forgive his "would be" assassin, then I can forgive anyone as well.


Fathers sermon truly touched my heart and I told him so after Mass. He told me to continue to put my shortcomings in the hands of my Blessed Mother, Mary and in our Lord.  As I turn 50 this year with more then half of my life now over, I see Gods love in more and more things and in more and more people.  


The older I get, the more I see Gods love in others also...and I see that in many of you, my  family and friends. Thank YOU for sharing your life with me. 


You may not be Catholic as I am, but you are one of Gods children and that for me is enough. 


Love to all. -Tim Sr.