(This article with supporting materials were developed for community conversations around the film, The Power of Forgiveness, by Journey Films).
On New Year’s Eve 1995, my mother was murdered. Someone broke into her house in search of hidden treasure. When she awakened, she was bludgeoned repeatedly with a crowbar and then assaulted with a wine bottle.
The police were vigilant. Soon a youthful suspect confessed to the crime. But later, when the police found that the physical evidence was contaminated, the youth recanted his confession and walked away freely.
My brother Mike had discovered Mama’s body when he and his son visited on New Year’s morning. The sight of the house in shambles was devastating. As he walked into the house, he first saw the blood-splattered walls, then my mother’s body in a pool of blood.
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Bishop Cahal Brenden Daly (1917-2000) |
When I think about reconciliation, I can’t understand this idea, this very important value, without thinking of certain special events in my own life which have helped me appreciate this central need for us as human beings.Fr. Ron Gagne, M.S., with his mother, Flora
When I was about seven years of age, I remember overhearing my parents mention that my father’s oldest and youngest brothers were no longer talking. They had an argument and each decided there was no use speaking to the other ever again. Upset feelings lingered and my mother decided to do something about this unacceptable situation. Since my mother had seven brothers, she was well aware of how to deal with boys, even those who had grown up to become “men.”
My parents, as they often did, decided to host a family gathering at our home. My mother deliberately invited both still-angry brothers to our party, obviously not letting the other know his brother would be there. I remember when my first uncle arrived, accompanied by his wife and my little cousin, whom I was waiting to play with. I quickly brought my cousin up to my room to play.
A few minutes later, when the doorbell rang, I was walking by the front door with my cousin. I opened the door and there was my second uncle, the oldest. Then my mother warmly welcomed him and his wife and brought them inside. When my uncle saw his youngest brother standing nearby in our parlor, he became very upset and grabbed his wife’s hand and headed toward the front door.
(These reflections are based on selections from "The Consecrated Life; Crossroads & Directions" by Marcello Azevedo, S.J., published by Orbis Books, 1995, paper, 141 pgs.)
As the La Salette Rule of Life states: “After the example of Mary, Reconciler of Sinners, the Missionaries of La Salette consider it their duty to enter more deeply into the mystery of reconciliation. They do so through prayer, meditation, study and ministry.” (1 cp) We hope your reflection experience is a time of true grace and reconciliation for you.
Each series is made available especially for those connected with the Missionaries of La Salette—La Salette religious, lay associates and others. These can be used by individuals or groups in their continued meditation on the meaning and purpose of the La Salette Missionaries and allied groups. They can be used in personal prayer or in group discussions.
Scripture: Matthew 28: 16 –20 (Make disciples of all nations)
The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”