Peaceful Tomorrows - a great example of how radical forgiveness is far from impossible!

Love your enemies, . . . bless those who curse you. (Luke 6:27)

These are such radical words from Jesus! How could we possibly look our worst enemy in the eye and bless them? One example that is especially relevant on the twenty-fourth anniversary of the tragedy of 9/11 can help us answer that question.

When Professor Orlando Rodriguez and his wife, Phyllis, lost their son, Greg, in the attack on the World Trade Center in New York, they sensed that God was calling them to transform their pain into peace. Together with family members of other victims of the attack, they formed Peaceful Tomorrows, an organization that connects and supports families who have lost their loved ones to similar acts of violence.

A few weeks after the attacks, Zacarias Moussaoui was indicted for his alleged involvement. Through Peaceful Tomorrows, Phyllis and Orlando met with Aicha el-Wafi, Moussaoui’s mother. “There was an immediate bonding,” Phyllis recalled. “We embraced and cried. . . . She spoke no English and none of us spoke French, but we were able to communicate, human to human.”

Their encounter with Aicha and their decision to offer forgiveness had had a profound impact on them.When Moussaoui was later found guilty with the possibility of the death penalty, Orlando chose to testify that nothing would be achieved by executing him. It would only force yet another mother to mourn the loss of her son.

Beginning with St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, history is filled with stories of people offering the same radical forgiveness that Jesus offered from the cross. People in every age have come to love their enemies and forgive those who have caused them great harm. Forgiveness doesn’t always come easily, and the deeper the wounds, the harder it can be. But these people’s stories tell us it is far from impossible.

And though it feels counter-intuitive, it's so important for our own health, as well as the health of our societies.

Today, as we remember the tragedy of 9/11, let’s also remember those who found the grace to rise above hatred and vengeance to offer true forgiveness. Let’s remember how merciful Jesus is to us and to everyone. And let’s allow that mercy to teach us to love our own enemies.

I invite you to express this prayer from your heart, if you're willing:

"Jesus, give me the courage and strength to love beyond my hurt, because I don't have it within me. Please show me that you are just, that you care and that you want to heal my wounds. I ask for the help of your grace, to let go of bitterness and the desire for revenge and find health.”

Visit https://www.peacefultomorrows.org to learn more about and support the work of 'Peaceful Tomorrows'

Pic Credit: Peaceful Tomorrows