Radical Forgiveness

Pope John Paul II took a revolutionary step when he chose to forgive the man who tried to kill him. It is unfathomable for most people, including myself, to imagine forgiving a man who tried to kill you. Most people would live out their lives were pure hatred toward the attempted murderer; however, Pope John Paul II acted out the true message of Catholicism. He believed that if Jesus could forgive his killers, then we should all forgive those who hurt us, no matter what. Likewise, Immaculee took this important step when she forgave the murderers of her family. Immaculee found extreme difficulty in forgiving the murderers of her family, but she acted as Jesus did and forgave the killers. Immaculee could not even complete the Our Father for a long time because she couldn't admit to forgiving those who hurt her. Eventually, she found the strength, courage, and love within herself to forgive them. I think we all need to act as Immaculee and Pope John II did. We must forgive those who hurt us no matter what.