Forgiveness:
As we forgive those who trespass against us

		Living the Scriptures  with St. Paul University  Catholic Center  Fr. Randy Timmerman

How often must I forgive? As many as seven times? Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy times seven."

For the most part, it was a typical day at the Timmerman house: Mom was fixing dinner, Dad was due home from work, my younger siblings were pestering for my attention. But I wanted attention of my own - I was trying to talk my mother into letting me drop out of the local Catholic grade school.

I struggled daily with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. My joints and muscles often were sore, swollen, and painful. It was enough to bear without the additional problem of adolescent tyranny. I was tired of being picked on.

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Sept. 11, 2005) Sir 27:30--28:7 Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12 Rom 14:7-9 Mt 18:21-35

I was sure that a new school would solve the dilemma.

Teasing and taunting is heavy warfare for an adolescent. How many times would I be called upon to forgive my schoolmates because, with their words and laughter, they figuratively threw stones at me?

In morning P.E., my jumping jacks probably were rather comical, but their taunts cut deep. And I dreaded the time when star athletes began to pick sides for their teams, knowing I'd be the last person chosen, the one they got stuck with.

Looking back I see their adolescent behavior as pretty typical. In fact, I hesitate to write about this, lest one of my schoolmates (now a sensitive adult, perhaps with kids of his own) feels guilty about those years. They were kids, doing what kids throughout the ages have done.

But I did feel defenseless in the face of the teasing. It was hard for me to accept the fact that I could not run, exercise, and play with the same intensity as other children. I found comfort in the presence of many friends, who were kind and never ridiculed me, but it is surprising to me how sharply I heard the hurtful comments of the few school kids who consistently attacked me and my illness.

My mother was adamant. I was not dropping out of the Catholic school. I had to find another way to deal with my problem. I spent a few days locked in self-pity, concocting elaborate schemes for revenge, that I knew, even then, I would never carry out.

Then, finally, I began to move toward forgiveness. I remember making a promise to myself that I would never say something to injure another person.

Now as an adult, I know that promise has a caveat. Sometimes we have to speak the truth, knowing full well that the message will make people uncomfortable. Jesus did that all the time.

But I wasn't going to say things with the purpose of being hurtful, or of building myself up by tearing someone else down. It took courage - more courage than facing my illness - to forgive and not wish for revenge.

I thank God for that courage.

Forgiveness freed me from the power those few bullies held over me. It allowed me to see the grace inherent in those painful moments. I learned to empathize personally with those who are sick, shunned, ridiculed, or rejected. I was released from the weight of my anger and frustration.

I learned that forgiveness is a choice. I choose to forgive because I know that to withhold forgiveness does not bring me peace or joy. I pray that others forgive my transgressions, as together - all of us - forgive others as the Father has forgiven us.

Fr. Randy J. Timmerman is pastor of St. Paul University Catholic Center on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.

St. Paul's Web site is www.stpaulscc.org

Faith Alive!

In a Nutshell Our religious and cultural diversity can make people uncomfortable. Today, however, wherever there are indications of God's grace at work, Christians affirm them. A positive stance toward diversity should be tempered by critical examination. Not all religions, for example, are of equal value. Christian concern for the good of others -- for the stranger -- communicates the Gospel message loudly and clearly. Catholic News Service 3211 Fourth St NE Washington DC 20017 202.541.3250 cns@catholicnews.com	Food for Thought   How should Catholics relate to people whose views on important religious and social issues differ from their own? That is a big question of these pluralistic times; many "experts" are addressing it. Culture is pluralistic in many ways. People differ in religion, for example, and along the lines of the religious and nonreligious. Should we disdain those who don't believe as we do? Fear them? Dialogue with them? Are we inevitably in conflict with culture? Do we feel that too many don't welcome our voice? The challenge is "to belong to two societies" at the same time, Bishop Amadee Grab of Chur, Switzerland, said recently. "This world's values are not enough for us," he said, adding that to despise culture also isn't the answer to our challenge. full story   Should we respect those who are not converted? By Father Robert L. Kinast Catholic News Service The opening chapters of the book of Genesis portray God as creating a varied and diverse world, culminating in the complex differences between men and women. God the Creator seems to delight in diversity. Human beings, however, are not so fond of diversity. Many find it confusing. In extreme cases, dictators, tribal groups and whole nations have engaged in genocide and ethnic cleansing to eliminate people with different values, customs and principles. full story  One toe in the door beats two headed away By Father David K. O'Rourke, OP Catholic News Service Many baptized Catholics are not religious. I think of one young man, a friend and family connection I know well, who puts it very simply: "I am not religious." His words aren't meant as an affront. In saying that he isn't religious, he speaks the way one talks about anything else with a friend. full story  Early Christian communities of love and their culture By Father Dale Launderville, OSB Catholic News Service The followers of Jesus created a new culture by their fidelity to the way of life shown to them by Jesus. With their focus upon Jesus, these early followers formed communities shaped by the commandment of love. Jesus' followers were to love their enemies (Matthew 5:44) and refrain from judging others (Matthew 7:1). Jesus had redefined who qualifies as our neighbor to include even enemies. full story
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