Extreme Repentance; Extreme Forgiveness

  The Rwandan genocide began 20 years ago this week.  There was already a civil war going on, but now there was a government-ordered mass killing of civilians of all ages, even babies.  Those being killed could offer little to no resistance.  It was a horrible time.

  What has happened since?  The new government realized that they could not put half the population on trial for war crimes.  So they chose, for the most part, to emulate the truth and justice commissions of South Africa.   Neighbors faced neighbors with the facts of the murders.  The guilty were asked to repent; the innocent were asked to forgive.  It is hard to imagine even one of those meetings.  Yet with one million people killed, how many of the face-offs had to be held?

  What if the Rwandans had followed an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth (Matthew 5:38-42) instead of repentance and forgiveness?  Who would be left?

  For reflection:  From what do I need to repent?  Whom do I need to forgive?

  Let us pray.  "If today you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts" (Psalm 95:8).  Let me hear your voice today, Lord.  Grant me the grace of repentance and forgiveness.

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