Day 21: The Heart of the Matter
BY ABBY CAUSEY | March 22, 2022
Today’s Readings
Kintsugi is the Japanese art of piecing broken pottery back together with a gold or metallic-colored resin. Long ago, each time a bowl broke, it would be glued back together with the resin, making it more beautiful. I never knew how broken I was until I journeyed through JustFaith’s newest module on nonviolent communication. It was unlike any other JustFaith program I had been through because I learned crucial skills not just for my justice work but also for my personal life. In turn, it gave me an unexpected gift: to forgive someone who had hurt me deeply.
In reflecting on today’s Gospel, how does Jesus’ response to Peter relate to the king’s forgiveness? If Jesus says to forgive seventy times seven meaning always, then why did not the king forgive the unmerciful servant a second time? Because Jesus’ focus was on the servant’s forgiveness, not the king’s. Through a parable, he admonishes that anger and pride will inhibit one’s ability to forgive and only lead to pain and suffering. For me, the hurt I carried in my heart for 32 years morphed into a deep, suppressed anger that allowed me to unconsciously transmit my pain; it pervaded relationships with my family, friends, and even co-workers.
Forgiveness has the power to make what is broken whole again. It is the essence of the Gospel and can be the most difficult yet most important thing we can ever do for ourselves. My spiritual director, Joe Grant, has often said that a broken heart is an open heart. Each time your heart breaks, you let the light out and let the love in to piece your heart back together.
This Lent, if there is someone you need to forgive, harden not your heart. With a humble heart, liberate yourself and let go–from there, as today’s psalm tells us, God will show you the way.
For Reflection:
- Who in your life do you need to forgive? How has this broken relationship affected other relationships in your life?
- Listen to this song and give permission to yourself to be broken.
- Lastly, watch Fr. Jim Curran’s homily on forgiveness which starts at the 15:23 mark. Fr. Jim is the rector of the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Norfolk, Virginia. It is the only African-American basilica in the United States.
Abby Causey received her undergraduate degree from Boston College and holds a master of theology from Saint Leo University. She is a founding member of Virginia Catholics for Racial Justice and is an emeritus board member of JustFaith Ministries and serves on its Anti-Racism Core Team. She has worked for the Diocese of Richmond at both the parish and diocesan level and currently serves as the Director of Evangelization and Youth Ministry at Church of the Holy Family in Virginia Beach, VA.
Brokenness is certainly part of life! I offer my situations to Our God as He understand and forgives the creatures he made. The Lord pours out His grace on us so that we can join with Him in what we need to do.
Fr. Curran’s homily on forgiveness is something I will pray with and ponder, particularly as I reflect on the destruction to Ukraine and its citizens by the sin of another. As I storm the gates of heaven with prayer for these beleaguered people, I will try to pray the forgiveness prayer with sincerity.
What Joe Grant told you, really touched my heart. “A broken heart is an open heart. Each time your heart breaks, you let the light out and let the love in to piece your heart back together.” May Jesus’ suffering love flood in, that my love may shine out upon the world of suffering – those who have lost their homes, who live in fear, who don’t have neough to eat.
Forgiveness is freeing and liberating. I am grateful to God for this great gift.
Forgiveness is bending low to uplift the wrong doer or the misunderstood. Long live forgiveness.
Very poignant reflection. I related to the reference of Kintsugi. I used that image in an art project with middle schoolers. It brought forth much about the heart being opened and mended. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.