This week’s topic:
One of the spiritual works of mercy encourages the forgiveness of “those who have offended us.” Offenses come in a wide variety of forms, however, with some much harder to handle than others.
The call to forgive offenses is not a pious platitude. Forgiveness encompasses thoughtfulness, love and a willingness to count all that is good in another person, while not refusing to set boundaries or agreeing to be hurt again.
It is hard enough to forgive someone when they have done or said something that hurts us, but even harder to do this willingly, on our own volition, without being forced.
