“Pope Benedict explores this question in his books, Jesus of Nazareth in the chapter “The Lord’s, Prayer”, where he comments on the second-to-last petition: “forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Benedict asserts straight away that forgiveness is not a cheap gift. After all, “guilt is a reality, and objective force”, and hence it has real affects, real consequences: it “causes damage that must be repaired”. A vow is broken, a reputation ruined, a body ravaged, a life taken. “For this reason,” says Benedict, “forgiveness must be more than a matter of ignoring of merely trying to forget.” The baneful effects of sin and guilt “must be worked through, healed, and thus overcome”. (201–202, from Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian, and Spiritual Theology
by Margaret M. Turek S.T.D.)

When I began my journey in Worldwide Marriage Encounter, I would often in my time of dialogue with couples have trouble focusing on the one feeling I was trying to get at. The married couple I was speaking with would often note that I began with a very specific feeling but as I began sharing I would often end with a completely different and sometimes opposite feeling being described.
Knowing where we are going and finding our way to our destinations, both on our earthly journey and our heavenly one is so important. But we also know we will stumble and fail at times. Missing a turn or exit often happens. If we respond by some rash action or unsafe driving movement we not only put ourselves in danger but also the many other drivers and passengers around us. Rather, it must be “worked through”. Maybe our map system will tell us the quickest way to correct our error or we will find a different route, but ultimately the damage of the error is corrected with he consequences of a little more time on the road and perhaps being late for an appointment.

This is often how sin enters our lives…not in a malicious fashion…but in neglect and not paying attention by keeping our eyes on the roadmap of life. Sometimes the error is quickly dealt with or it may take much time and effort to turn life around. And, like in my Marriage Encounter dialogue, it can bring us to places of healing and understand in surprising ways. For if we ignore the sin, then we will continue driving further and further away from our true destination and the effects of the sin will be left in the rearview mirror where lives are damaged and hurts are lift unhealed. But being attentive and seeking to return to the way of our true destination brings us to the place we belong..a life of unity and love.
God Bless and drive safely,
Fr. Mark