Author: Lauren

I sat in mass tonight listening to a Gospel reading about forgiveness. “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’/ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times’” (Matthew 18: 21-22) I found this difficult because I was faced with a situation over the weekend that I found very hard to forgive. I struggled with how I could ever forgive this person for their display of disrespect, ignorance, and just plain meanness. I’m still not sure how to go about it, so I wrote it out… maybe this person will read it, maybe not. I can’t let your display of disrespect the other night be okay. I don’t care that you smoke, I don’t care about the reasons why you smoke, I don’t care when you smoke, and I don’t care where you smoke, as long as its not near me. What I do care though, is the way in which you show your respect for those around you. I don’t care if they are a stranger or a friend, you have no right to blow smoke in anyone’s face, especially when they have just asked you to politely step away from the house because there are people around you who can’t be around smoke. I am overwhelmed...