Facing Forgiveness: A Catholic's Guide to Letting Go of Anger and Welcoming Reconciliation

It is so easy to slip into thinking that forgiveness is condoning what the person did to you as okay. That thought keeps people from making the decision to forgive. Sometimes you may have to make that decision every day. In my case it may take a lifetime, but it is my goal because it will bring peace into my soul whether it affects the other person or not. I would recommend this book to anyone!

This work is the fruit of a collaboration between Bishop Aymond, a renowned theologian and educator, and Sofield and Juliano, established authors and workshop presenters on the topics of psychology and spirituality. The 25 stories at the heart of the book are based largely on experiences of those attending workshops on anger and forgiveness. The causes of their hurt are diverse, and their responses vary, but the authors have found a common theme: Those who achieve forgiveness "have experienced, almost to a person, a rebirth, an overpowering sense of new life," while non-forgivers often suffer from grief, physical pain, and clinical depression. The book is divided into three parts, (1) an introduction examining personal beliefs on forgiveness, (2) the stories, each beginning with a relevant passage from scripture and ending with reflection questions, and (3) material on the sacrament of reconciliation. A bibliography and guide for faith-sharing groups are also included. Though brief, Facing Forgiveness, abounds with valuable insights such as forgiveness need not be communicated to the other; anger is an emotion, wrath a behavior; and forgiveness differs from reconciliation and justice.