Making Good on a Childhood Lesson

But rather, love your enemies and do good to them,
and lend expecting nothing back;
then your reward will be great
and you will be children of the Most High,
for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.
“Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven. (Luke 6)
 
Today’s gospel was a reminder to me of a lesson that I learned as a child and which is still just as valid today: we need to forgive. 
 
When I was in grade school, some of my classmates were not very nice to me, making derogatory remarks and even throwing spitballs, etc.  I was targeted because of my impaired vision.  I was a little bit ‘different’ from the other kids.  I remember being in tears one night about this, struggling to forgive the perpetrators.  I knew, from the scriptures, that we have to forgive those who hurt us if we want to be forgiven. 
 
I can remember talking to my dad about this, and him trying to console me.  Nonetheless, I knew what I was called to do.  I was called to forgive those who had hurt me, just as the gospels said.  I remember praying, as a seventh grader or so, for the grace to do just that.  I believe my prayer was answered.  I was able to forgive and move on from these childhood hurts.
 
Unkind words and harmful behaviors, unfortunately, do not end with childhood, however.  This year, I’ve had my struggles with a few people.  The gospel this morning, and this pivotal childhood memory, urge me to make an effort to forgive these people and not to harbor grudges against them.  I don’t have to engage in superfluous conversations with people who have a history of being unkind to me, but I do have to forgive them.
 
I am called to pray for them and love them. 

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