Day 10: Loved Into Forgiveness
BY JUSTIN WHITE | February 23rd, 2024
Today’s readings
Discipleship, the service of faith, and just being a decent human being in the world does not require perfection of character – but instead the recognition of impact.
How refreshing is it to know that we can be in relationship with a God that offers unending forgiveness. A God that “rejoices” when we recognize our own harmful and unhelpful ways and elect to bring about a change. And if we recognize those harmful and unhelpful ways and choose not to change, even in the presence of that unending forgiveness, well then that choice is fully ours.
When I taught Catholic Social Teaching to 11th graders, we attempted the audacious task of defining Justice as “giving God and our neighbor what is due.” Our readings, from both the Prophet Ezekiel and the Gospel of Matthew, are speaking to an internal commitment of giving what is due to ourselves, our neighbors, and God. Our readings during this time of Lent call us to personally confront our own numbness to suffering, our own anger fueled by our own pride, and our own self-righteousness birthed out of our own ignorance. It’s not about being perfect, but it is about being in relationship and recognizing the impact we consciously and unconsciously bring to our spheres of influence.
As a middle school counselor, I find myself interacting with Justice in new ways. When I sit two students down who are in conflict and mediate a discussion in which both students speak their truths about what they did and how they felt – it is an invitation to this practice of understanding impact. It may be small, but in a world plagued by unnecessary conflict, it feels needed. This is where healing happens. Something perfect has no space to heal. You and I are far from perfect – but we are forever loved into forgiveness.
Has there been a time in your life where the presence of forgiveness helped you better know and experience God’s Grace?
When you look at our world around us, where are areas where healing is needed? What could your role, your impact, be when it comes to that healing?
Justin T. White is a middle school counselor, admissions associate, and clubs and activities coordinator at Loyola Blakefield in Towson, Maryland.
When what you love most dearly has been wrongfully taken from you and you can still forgive. Then one experiences God’s grace in full. It’s not the only time I’ve experienced God’s grace in my life. But it was certainly the hardest to forgive. I take heart from Jesus, who said, “They know not what they do.” But when they clearly knew what they were doing, it did take a lot longer to forgive. When we hold grudges against others, it also harms us. So I learn to let go and let God.
We are all wounded to a certain degree. And am privileged that God gives me ample opportunities to heal others.