My father once said, “We know we’re

grown up when we’re able to forgive our

parents for being human.” He was right

in two ways: first, our parents, as we, are flawed human

beings in need of forgiveness; second, forgiveness

is a spiritual gift we grow into that is truly a

mark of maturity. We cannot rush ourselves through

the process of forgiveness (forced goodness), or we

risk missing the understanding and wisdom that it

gives (voluntary good). Sometimes, in trying to understand,

accept and then forgive someone (or ourselves),

we may find ourselves in the midst of a situation

that seems to defy understanding. Through this,

though, we experience our own human flaws, our own

limitations, and thereby come to better understand the

From time to time, we all cause harm to others.

Causing harm separates us from those we have injured

and alienates us from our own best selves, and, if

course, from God. In seeking forgiveness, however, we

indicate we are ready to be reunited with our own best

selves and to be restored to right relationships with God

and those in our lives. If we do not, in humility, forgive

ourselves, our refusal remains a barrier ~ a barrier

within our own souls for future growth in our relationship

with God. The possibility to do harm and to do

good exists within each of us. Each of us is equally

bound by the effects of the choices we make to do good

or harm. No one is exempt from this, so the need and

the right to ask for forgiveness is essential for every

child of God. Today’s Gospel is about the Prodigal son

… it was about choices: to take and run; to return and

repent; to allow forgiveness and love back in. We each

have our own cross to bear: some of us have what appears

to others as virtually no cross at all, while others

carry a crushingly heavy one. As long as we move forward,

voluntarily, not begrudgingly, doing our best and

doing good for others, following the example of Jesus,

we will be counted among His disciples. If we only do

good out of fear of punishment, or because we are concerned

about how we will look in the eyes of others

(instead of our Savior’s), we will not count as disciples.

This week, consider how you feel about your place in the

world, how much guilt, confusion, resentment or sorrow

you are carrying around. Then consider the good things

you do, and the reason behind the goodness. Consider

the harmful things you have engaged in against others,

then seeking forgiveness from others. Peace