“As We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against Us”

This morning, I sat in a packed courtroom in support of a dear friend. This friend was making a statement to the court as a matter of public record. Two years ago his son, a young man in his early 20’s, was murdered in cold blood. Today, the killer was sentenced and my friend addressed him in court.

The convicted was placed in handcuffs. That was mildly satisfying to behold. He was walked to one side of the courtroom and surrounded by multiple armed sheriff’s officers. Then my friend was allowed to enter the well of the court and, surrounded by prosecutors, faced the man who took his son’s life.

The statement ran about 20 minutes long. It was delivered with an eloquence I could not imagine possessing in that situation. He spoke of his son and the terrible loss his family has suffered. He spoke of justice (the killer got 40 years but will likely be released in 20) and he spoke of grief.

But it was the end of his oration that literally made a hush fall over the courtroom.

He cited the Our Father and it’s “pesky last lines” about forgiveness. And then he said, “I forgive you,” to the man who shattered his family.

He took a rosary out of his pocket and offered to the killer, inviting him to pray this prayer every day of his sentence.

He told the killer that he sincerely hoped that this young man would be in paradise with his son one day.

Friends, it is one thing to know the Catholic faith.

It is quite another to live it.

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us!