This anonymous prayer was left by the body of a child that had died at Ravensbruck death camp
and, to me, it perfectly exemplifies how we are made in God’s image. For the mercy that God shows to us, we are then capable of showing to others. It is only through God that we can do so, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We are all children of the same loving and forgiving Creator; therefore, we are all capable of this same grace and mercy that is expressed in this prayer.
O Lord,
Remember not only the
men and women
of good will,
but also
those of ill will.
But do not remember all
the suffering they inflicted on us;
remember the fruits we
have bought,
thanks to this suffering
–
our comradeship, our
loyalty,
our humility, our
courage,
our generosity,
the greatness of heart which
has grown out of all this;
and when they come to
judgment
let all the fruits which
we have borne
be their forgiveness.
Amen.
How do you feel while reading this prayer? (When I read it for the first time, years ago, I had to read it twice to be sure I had read it correctly.) How are you able, or not, to comprehend this ability to forgive? Would you be able to let your heart be melted enough to say this kind of prayer - or would your heart become hardened to the people who caused this child's death?
Knowing that "God is Love,"
may we grow in our understanding
of God's boundless mercy.
💙
