Saturday, 3 May 2025
We are becoming the season of Lent. It’s the first week. And during Lent, it’s a time for repentance, prayer, and fasting. It’s a time to reach out to others and do good.
This is a challenge all of us face, I would like to share a story with you about one man who came to this decision.
One day, there was a beggar by the side of the road, asking for help. He saw a very rich man coming along the road, so in a loud voice he cried out, “Have pity on me!” But, the rich man just ignored him. So the beggar began to follow, and again called out, “Have pity on me and my family!”
The rich man turned and stared at him. “Go away…don’t bother me!” Still the beggar continued to follow him. “Please my wife and children have not eaten in several days… give us some bread or a little money.”
Finally, the rich man stopped, bent down and picked up a rock. “Go away! Stop following me!” The beggar just stood there and again he cried out, “Have pity on me!” In anger, the rich man said, “This is what I give you!” and he threw the rock at the beggar, turned and continued on his journey.
The beggar’s heart was filled with anger and bitterness. He picked up the rock and put it in his pocket thinking to himself, “Someday, I will give him back this rock.”
Years passed, but every day, the beggar would feel the rock in his pocket and remember the rich man and how mean he was. Again, he could feel the anger and hatred in his heart.
One day, there was a large crowd of people shouting and calling out on the street.
The beggar went to see what was happening and there in the midst of the crowd, was the rich man. But now, everything was different. He had broken the law and lost all of his money. He had cheated people. The people he deceived were angry and shouting and cursing him. He was arrested and taken to prison.
The beggar smiled, “Now it is my chance to get even!” thought the beggar. He took the rock out of his pocket and prepared to throw it at the mean old man.
But, as he looked into his eyes, instead of anger and hatred, he felt pity for him. He had no friends, no family, no money, nothing….
The beggar dropped the rock and turned away. “How foolish I’ve been to spend so many years carrying this hatred.” Suddenly, his heart was filled with peace and joy, the fruits of forgiveness.
During Lent, we are called to repentance. We are also called to forgive. Take time to ask, is there anyone that I have hurt, and need to ask for forgiveness. Is there anyone that I need to forgive and heal a broken relationship. By doing so. Just like the beggar, we will be given peace of mind and heart and be filled with joy knowing that the Lord is near and has done great things for us.
I would like to close the prayer by saying The Our Father, and remember that we saying it asks the Lord to forgive us like we forgive others.
Sr. Michelle
21 February 2024