Learning to Say 'I Forgive You'

Lorelei Savaryn confides how the Sacrament of Reconciliation helped her learn to offer forgiveness.

Struggling to Say It

Growing up, the words "I'm sorry" and "I forgive you" didn't always come together. I think my parents, particularly when dealing with me and my brother, did their best to teach us how to get along and make things right when someone was offended. But one of the things that strikes me the most when looking back, is that repentance and forgiveness wasn't necessarily modeled to us, at least not regularly and consistently for me to remember that as a pattern of family life.

I think that's partly why, as an adult, it was really hard for me to say I was sorry, and even harder for me to say "I forgive you" after someone had apologized to me. This was especially true when it came dating and early marriage. I remember times, sitting in the car with my husband driving, when he had apologized for something and I just sat there, staying silent. I literally felt the heat of anger inside of me as I made him wait a long time for those words. Even when he pointed out my reluctance and that it was hurtful to him, my mouth did not want to open. I still don't fully understand why it was so hard for me to offer that to someone I loved, other than some selfishness in me felt it would be more just to make him suffer.

Confession and Forgiveness

Another piece of my journey in this area that's been helpful has been the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Five years ago, as I neared the culmination of my conversion to the Catholic faith, I began to understand and deeply appreciate the value of examining my conscience-saying I was sorry, and literally, audibly, hearing forgiveness offered to me by the priest, who is really standing in Jesus's place. Trusting you're forgiven is one thing. Hearing that mercy spoken to you out loud is certainly another. Confession has changed me, and continues to do so. I know now very deeply how it feels to know you are forgiven by hearing it said. I know how much it has the power to heal.

My husband had grown up in a home when repentance and forgiveness came easy, or readily, at least. And he couldn't understand why it was so hard for me to offer forgiveness to him. I've had to work really, really hard over the years to say "I'm sorry" as soon as I understand I've caused hurt to someone, and to say "I forgive you" honestly and quickly after an apology is offered to me. We are now teaching this to our kids and modeling it intentionally with our own actions in and out of the home.

Because here's the thing: Our entire faith is based on an ocean of unmerited grace. It doesn't really matter what someone has done to me or how I've been offended. If I believe in Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross and His power over death, and His doing all of that to offer reconciling grace to me and everyone else who has ever existed or will ever exist, that significantly changes how much of a right I have to hold a grudge.

Forgiveness can help heal the offender, but it also heals the offended. #catholicmom

In some cases, offering forgiveness and also letting go or setting boundaries might be the appropriate choice. But I also think there is something to be said for the healing power of forgiveness not only for the person being forgiven but also for the person who forgives. Forgiveness can help heal the offender, but it also heals the offended. And if the Creator of the Universe has chosen to not only forgive us, but has suffered greatly to do it, then how freely should I open my arms to others and forgive them?

If we truly understand the former, then the latter isn't even really a question.

Lent is a beautiful time of year in the Church for so many reasons. The continued call to conversion through almsgiving, fasting, and penance helps prepare our hearts for Easter in such a special way. If you haven't been in a while, or even if you have, perhaps it's time to go to Confession. To find a few quiet moments this Lent to examine your heart and say you're sorry and turn yourself back to love.

And then, of course, to receive an absolute ocean of unmerited grace. A grace that has the power to fill us, and flood out into the whole entire world as we forgive others, too.

Copyright 2021 Lorelei Savaryn