Forgiveness Comes from The HeartSeptember 14, 2026

Forgiveness Comes from the Heart

In Sundays’s readings we learn of God’s mercy and forgiveness.

Forgiving “from the heart” does not deny that wounds are real or that justice matters. It means refusing to let anger take over our lives, remembering the mercy by which we ourselves stand before God.

I am reminded that there were times when I felt I deserved my anger because of a perceived wrong done to me. I literally held tightly to my anger. I believe that is referred to as “righteous anger”.

From where I stand now, forgiving people comes with the thought: “I’ve done that at different times in my life, too”. Thus, putting myself in the other person’s shoes and in turn giving them a “break”.

Nowadays I look back on my behavior and myself as a tender elder looking upon a young unformed or misinformed person. I shake my head thinking how grateful I am for the grace to feel as I do today.

There are times I still want to judge people, but I am slower in my reaction time. Just that little delay makes the difference in how my energy responds.

I wish I had known this as a younger person. But of course, it is those mistakes which helps me to walk in the other person’s place.

May God’s grace continue to soften me and help me to look back at my footprints in the sand. May I feel God’s forgiveness and compassion and pay it forward.

Sister Mary Eileen Boyle