“I’ve heard people say that
forgiveness is for wimps. Well, I say then that they must never have tried it. Forgiveness is hard work. It demands diligent, self- discipline, constant corralling of our basest instincts, custody of the tongue, and a steadfast refusal not to get caught up in the mean-spiritedness of our times.”
-Marietta Jaegger- Lane, Mother of a murdered child
For Reflection:
Am I willing, with the grace of God, to enter into the hard work of forgiveness? Of the necessary demands Marietta outlines, which one do I most need to acquire? I will start to ask God to supply my need this minute and make this my prayer request until I begin to manifest it in my life.
(See tomorrow’s Grace Line for a help along the way.)
Chapter One Page 8 One of the many things I have learned is that advanced infused prayer is well and thriving among those who live the Gospel with entire generosity. This has always been the case through the centuries, and it is the case today. Retreat masters and others who say they seldom meet advanced contemplation in the people they deal with can speak for themselves. I cannot vouch for those they serve. However, I likewise may speak from my own experience: among both active and cloistered religious I meet infused prayer frequently, and I find that Teresa and John remain the best guides we have to the mystical experiences that continue to flourish among our saintly laymen, sisters, brothers and priests.
