Light in the Window
        © 2009 Fred S. Schaeffer, OFS

When we are remorseful for having fallen yet again, and we ask Our Lord to forgive us with the intention to try harder this time,... He will do so! He forgives even the most hardened sinner if only we ask for His help. What I have written is true regardless of religion, status in life, your former failings or even if you are not a firm believer in God. He loves us and when we ask for His help, He will always come to our assistance. I believe this without hesitation. From writings by holy men and women (St. Francis of Assisi, St. Bonaventure, St. Augustine and the great mystics of the past - when you study what they have to say to the world, to us, the conclusion is that God cares for us deeply, and that He will heal us when we call upon His name!

My mind is on a prayer intention that I received minutes ago, a man who is in his final stages of a long battle with cancer ... that's an all too frequent request for healing and prayer these days. The prayer requests that I receive sometimes help shape these reflections. Actually that is true with most attempts at spiritual counseling or direction, these days ... my answer to someone seeking healing comes mostly from my life experiences, from prayer and from quiet contemplation and pondering early in the morning before the day really starts and I get involved in daily life. I know that sounds very "monkish" - I have been a monk in another era of my life and that relationship with God is never forgotten. Praise God, he has given me this grace in life, and the grace to realize it was all for the good.

My parish used to have a 10-minute video on forgiveness, a number of years ago, where a teenager ran away from home, hitchhiking throughout the country, then at one time wondering if he would still be welcome back at home. He writes a letter to his folks asking "if it is OK, just put a light in the window." He hitches a ride with an elderly chap, and tells his story, asks to just drive by his home "to see if it is OK" - and when he does so, he sees the lights ablaze in all the windows. He knows he is forgiven and runs up the lawn toward the front door into the arms of his parents. It's the best video I ever saw on "forgiveness." (see footnote) Wouldn't you love to have parents who forgave no matter what ... you do! God forgives no matter what ... as long as we are sincere when we ask for help.

The amount of sincerity when asking for help depends on circumstances ... if you find yourself in the middle of a vehicle crash, moments from death, God will forgive you if you call to Him even with a feeble cry for help. Or, consider this - you are severely challenged at a point in your life. Someone asked you to do something that goes against the grain but you know no way out - God will help when you call on Him. God answers prayers! He heals! But we will not see this healing unless we believe that He loves us, and we love others through His love.

In the prayer that was Jesus Christ's gift to us, the "Our Father" - remember the part: please forgive us as we forgive others ("And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.") - in other words, if we do not forgive others, we will not be forgiven. Suppose I get into a fight with another person, maybe even a friend... based on my belief that he wronged me... as long as I fail to forgive him, healing and forgiveness will not come. Now listen up good! Suppose I haven't forgiven him in years and years - all the time this "wound" is festering, eating us up inside - see what we are doing to ourselves? Inability to forgive and forget will bring us much pain, sometimes physical pain as well. And, inability to forgive ourselves works the same way. Get it off your chest, repent, forgive, and God will forgive you. He will not only forgive but forget it ever happened. So what are you waiting for?

Of course, forgiving is notoriously difficult. "Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive," said C.S. Lewis. Now consider this, "Forgiveness, however, may bring enormous benefits to the person who gives that gift, according to recent research. If you can bring yourself to forgive and forget, you are likely to enjoy lower blood pressure, a stronger immune system, and a drop in the stress hormones circulating in your blood, studies suggest. Back pain, stomach problems, and headaches may disappear. And you'll reduce the anger, bitterness, resentment, depression, and other negative emotions that accompany the failure to forgive." (WebMD)

It seems then that there is a relationship between our ability to forgive others or ourselves, and our mental and physical health. Search on these words: "forgiveness health benefits" and you will find thousands of references! God does not want us to suffer, but we cause the suffering to ourselves. And, with God's help that 'notoriously difficult act of forgiving' is not only possible but certain. Many have problems that beg to be forgiven. Lay these problems, in prayer, at the foot of the Cross. Ask His help in your struggle with these matters. Seek forgiveness or pardon those who offended us. Let God help. Admit that you were wrong even if you are certain it was the fault of the other person who got you to this point. When a grudge is 5, 10, 20 years old, it no longer matters who did what to whom. Chances are we can't remember the whole story anyway. Just ask God's forgiveness for all parties concerned. Then forget about the matter. It is over and done. Get on with your life and smile, because you have much to smile about!

The light is always on in Heaven! "And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." (Luke 11:9-10)

God bless you, and keep you well!
© 2009 Fred S. Schaeffer, OFS (Republished 10/14/2020 unchanged)

Footnote:
The name of this 11-minute video is "Pardon and Peace." This is the story of David, a young teenage runaway whose experience of pain and brokenness make him long for the lights of home. David had decided to leave school and see the country. After the inevitable conflict with his father, who wanted David to get an education first, angry words and threats on both sides, David leaves home. After hitchhiking, minimal meals, fleabag hotels, and benches for shelter, David writes home asking to return. This is the human story of separation and reconciliation.

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