Radical Forgiveness

After reading this blog, I though about all the little things that we, as human beings, tend to hold a grudge over. Often times we let such trivial things interfere and destroy our relationships, friendships, or even marriages. Pope John Paul II's ability to forgive someone, who almost killed him,is the quintessence of a good Christian. In the Bible, Jesus teaches us to forgive not just the little things people have committed against but also the big things. This story also relates to Immaculee Ilibagiza's story of how she forgave the individuals involved in the Rwanda Genocide. Even years after the Genocide, Immaculee was able to forgive one of the murderers that killed her family member. Jesus gives us the strength to forgive those we do not think we are capable of forgiving. In the last chapter of her book, Immaculee has a dream in which her brother says to her, "Now heal your heart. You must love, and you must forgive those who have trespassed against us." Forgiving others not only benefits the person who committed an act of transgression against you, but it also benefits you. Forgiveness helps heal us from whatever we cannot let go of.