By Fern Richie

I recently attended a conference on apology, revenge, and forgiveness. We viewed a compelling DVD that focused on the stories of Rosaria and Chantale – two Rwandan women coming face-to-face with the men who slaughtered their families during the 1994 genocide. Struggling to live again as neighbors, these survivors and killers discover the power and the pain of radical reconciliation. It was powerful, inspiring, and really got me to thinking about forgiveness in a new way.

Today, my prayer is guided by the Christian imperative to forgive, and by the words of our Lord:

“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you….for if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

–Matthew 6: 5-6, 14-15