An apology begins with deep sorrow for wrong inflicted. Reflection on the infraction committed and the effects of this wrong on the person harmed is necessary. Soon, a genuine expression of regret flows from the depths of the heart. A few weeks ago I received one of the most sincere apologies I have ever experienced. A friend had put me in an extremely difficult situation. We will call her Clara. In the midst of the challenge, I confronted my struggling friend. Cognizant of the wrong, Clara quickly backed down. She quietly left like a dog with her tail between her legs. Clara had no words.
I worried I had hurt my friend with my directness, but I was confident I had done the right thing. I had not been harsh in my words, simply upfront. Days later, she entered my home and asked to talk. With tears in her eyes, Clara shared her sorrow for disrespecting me and putting me the difficult place she had created. My friend revealed how her struggle had caused her to lose sight of the importance of the people in her life.
Assuring me it would not happen again and repeatedly uttering her regret and remorse through her tears, the pain of my friend’s internal struggle was evident. As Clara readied to leave, my precious friend shared, what I felt to be, a deep cry of her soul. Her tearful unearthing that she knew she needed to lean into God to help her with her battles made her desperation transparent. It was evident that Clara was keenly aware that she could not fight this alone.
We embraced, as she once again uttered her apology and I assured her of my forgiveness and love. Love poured out into a wound that was deeper than I had imagined. Only the depths of the Father’s love could fill that hole, and thankfully, Clara knew that.
What struck me about my dear friend’s apology was not only her sincerity, but also her hope. Clara knew her problem was bigger than her, but she was also aware that God is bigger than her issue. Her confidence in God’s ability to fix the impossible challenge she was unable to overcome herself was obvious.
Hope in times of struggle and sorrow can change the trajectory of our lives and the attitude with which we live out our everyday. Turning to the Lord when the solution befuddles you or causes you to despair, is freeing and uplifting.
We all have injuries that are so deep that that no amount of therapy or work on our parts can possibly begin to fill the woundedness. Some wounds cut you to the core. These are the times that call for work and perseverance on our parts, as well as, a strong reliance on the Lord and His graces. Turning to God to fill the cavity with love, mend the brokenness with graces, or offer consolation when we cannot rise above our struggle is a grace and requires humility. It also signifies the presence of hope.
Just as my friend Clara came low as she offered her apology and shared her need for Christ, we must do the same. Recognizing that we are not capable ourselves of correcting all our actions that cause others pain, we still must apologize for our wrongs, offer amends, strive to improve, and lean into Christ, becoming stronger because of it. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:7.
Call to Act: Where is God asking you to lean into Him? What is He asking you to turn over to Him? Is He possibly asking you to humble yourself by offering an apology for a wrong you have done as a result of your brokenness? Take it to prayer sister. Ask Him to reveal to you the area you constantly attempt to control and fix. Ask Him to allow you to grow and turn to Him, giving it all to the One who created you. Pray, ‘Unto your hands I trust this cross, Oh Lord’.
“Out of the depths I call to you, Lord; Lord hear my cry! May your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, Lord, mark our sins, Lord, who can stand? But with you is forgiveness and so you are revered…For with the Lord is kindness, with him is full redemption.” Psalm 130:1-4, 7.
St. Pope John Paul II, so filled with trust in Our Lord, pray for us that we may exhibit this same virtue, turning to God when we surmise we cannot do it alone. Ask our Lord to give us the humility required to turn to Him and recognize our insufficient abilities. Pray that we may have the strength to ask forgiveness for the wrongs we have committed and the grace to rest in Him. We beg that our hearts be filled with hope. We ask this through Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Saint Pope John Paul II
Saint Pope John Paul II, known in his younger days as Karol Josef Wojtyla, was born in Poland in a small town. He was born into a faithful Catholic family, who taught him to love and persevere. Friends shared that from a young age Karol was not hesitant to interact or make friends with people of other faiths, even when Jewish people began to be persecuted. After high school, he attended a university and a school for drama. His love for the arts took root. He began studying in a seminary as the war in Poland broke out. He was forced to leave and return after things had settled. As a result of his experiences with the Holocaust and childhood friends, he taught the Church to embrace the Jewish people and others as brothers and sisters. Elected Pope in 1978, he has written countless documents, beatified over 1,000 Blesseds, canonized nearly 500 saints, and began General Audiences on Wednesdays, visited numerous government officials, and touched more lives than can be counted. Read more about him here: https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=6996