Forgiveness in our modern day world is more rare than it is common. The people of our world, including myself, tend to hold grudges against people who hurt us. In my opinion, the rareness of forgiveness in our society is what makes both Pope John Paul II’s and Immaculée’s so shocking. Pope John Paul II and Immaculée were both able to forgive murderers, and we, on the other hand, find it hard to forgive our neighbor who was rude to us last week.
Although their acts of forgiveness are shocking, I believe that the forgiveness they showed is healthy. I DO NOT believe the killers should ever feel their crimes were okay or that they will be forgotten. However, like we discussed in class forgiving is not forgetting. They need to know they are responsible for horrendous, immoral acts. Forgiving, however, can be beneficial to the victim. On our Junior retreat, Mrs. DeStefano shared a story of forgiveness and told our class, “sometimes forgiving is more for the person who was hurt than the person who hurt.” I believe by Pope John Paul II and Immaculée forgiving their enemies, they were able to find peace within themselves. While I am confident their acts of forgiveness must have taken extraordinary strength, I believe their acts are a healthy way of moving on towards a more positive life.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
The Mess of Our World
Our world is truly a suffering mess. Turning on the news can even be depressing at times. Each news broadcast seems to talk of yet another murder in the city or bombing in a foreign country. I cannot go a day without hearing word of the injustice in our ailing world. This morning, for example, I woke up to my mom’s news that a student at the University of Delaware had been killed.
When I hear stories of immense suffering, my heart hurts for those who have been affected. I find it unfair that some of the world’s greatest, most hardworking people, such as those in Syria, are the ones suffering the most. People in Middle Eastern countries are working long hours at factories with little pay, and getting more and more suffering in return. When a friend tells me a story of hurt, I try my best to lend a helping hand in any way I can. However, it is hard sometimes to lend a helping hand to global issues. Sometimes we need to take help to the next step and seek out a charity that works to solve a certain “mess” in our world.
Gospel messages teach us that even just a small step can make a big impact. For example, just donating five to ten dollars to hurricane sandy relief fund will make a bigger difference than you could imagine. The gospel messages remind us that sometimes the material things, such as donating to a charity, are not the only ways to help. Just listening to a friend who is dealing with personal issues may be extremely beneficial.
The article calls us to take the hurt and make it our own. “Make it personal” it encourages. If each of us feels suffering for those in need, our world could be a changed planet. People are drowning in the “mess” and it is time for us to reach out. Whether by forming our own charity, listening to a friend, or just donating our time, we can together solve every problem.
When I hear stories of immense suffering, my heart hurts for those who have been affected. I find it unfair that some of the world’s greatest, most hardworking people, such as those in Syria, are the ones suffering the most. People in Middle Eastern countries are working long hours at factories with little pay, and getting more and more suffering in return. When a friend tells me a story of hurt, I try my best to lend a helping hand in any way I can. However, it is hard sometimes to lend a helping hand to global issues. Sometimes we need to take help to the next step and seek out a charity that works to solve a certain “mess” in our world.
Gospel messages teach us that even just a small step can make a big impact. For example, just donating five to ten dollars to hurricane sandy relief fund will make a bigger difference than you could imagine. The gospel messages remind us that sometimes the material things, such as donating to a charity, are not the only ways to help. Just listening to a friend who is dealing with personal issues may be extremely beneficial.
The article calls us to take the hurt and make it our own. “Make it personal” it encourages. If each of us feels suffering for those in need, our world could be a changed planet. People are drowning in the “mess” and it is time for us to reach out. Whether by forming our own charity, listening to a friend, or just donating our time, we can together solve every problem.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)