Pray For Those Who Burglar You?

Last Sunday, I missed a call from my mother at 9:30 in the morning. Within minutes, with heart pounding and high apprehension that someone was in the hospital (they are 78 and 83), I was listening to a voice message that began:

Hi, Susie, it's mom. It's 9:30 Sunday morning and I am just calling to ask for some prayers from you and from whoever you can get a hold of. (Stomach drops, heart pounds) Someone broke into our condo last night and stole dad's wallet and the car keys and then stole the car.

The message went on from there to say they were waiting for the police, making calls to cancel credit cards and taking care of logistics. Needless to say, I was so relieved they were both OK, not having a health crisis and not hurt during the break in, that I called right back and expressed my concern and my gratitude.

The next day as we talked on the phone, my parents shared how they had borrowed a car to go to church later that day. While in church, both of them, independent of each other, began to pray for the person who broke into their condo. Each of them wondered what kind of a life someone would have who breaks in and steals. Both were concerned about the good of the person who had just done them harm. I was so touched and inspired by their genuine concern. Would I have responded the same way?

If someone causes you harm, whether by hurtful words, neglect or an unkind action, how do you respond? Most of us will want to retaliate, pull back or shut that person out. How many of us are able to widen our hearts to include that person's needs in our prayers?

While we don't need to put ourselves in harms way or continue to allow someone to disregard our dignity, we can still pray for the other and want God's best for them. Can you imagine what the world would be like if this were the way most of us responded?

This reminds me of my post about St. Rita and her ability to reconcile families that were bloody enemies. It also reminds me of the mercy that is experienced by Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, when the bishop gives him the silver that Jean Valjean initially stole. Mercy is definitely the theme of Les Miserables. If you haven't seen the movie, I highly recommend it. Check out the official movie site here with great little clips. It is an inspiring movie.

Have you been able to extend God's mercy to someone you thought didn't "deserve" it? Have you witnessed another extending this kind of mercy?

Just a reminder: comment and you might be the winner of an essential oil on April 1.