When speaking about forgiving people, I have been consulting Catholic teachings online to try and understand a problem that I have been wrestling with for some time. As much as possible, I try to be a good Christian and I am praying hard to deal with a deep hatred I’m feeling for people I once considered “family.” In my situation, my relatives came from a poor country and were seeking to live in the United States for a better life as many people do. So, my mother petitioned to the government to allow them to come and took great pains for them to live a better life. Upon arriving, they seemed kind and friendly, however we would soon find that they would constantly lie about everything. Even things that did not matter and they were also compulsive thieves. We have addressed the issues many times with smiles, kisses, hugs, and attempts at reconciliations but all turn up empty when things go missing again. We became angry at each other and started no longer talking. They left the house one day unexpectadly along with taking some things from us. Some of their offenses include borrowing money promising to pay back but almost ruining my mother’s credit score because they did not pay back which nearly cost me and my sister our college education. They stole all the money I had in my room, and stuffed animals that did not matter to them, but were given to us from family overseas. They constantly lied that it was given to them, the same exact animals, but they don’t have family from the country overseas that is labeled on the animals. To this day, they still do not appologize and if given the chance, I believe they will still continue their behavior. I went to a priest, he told me God is Love, and as such, I should forgive them but it’s just too hard. My parents show (in my interpretation) fake smiles when they see them, trying to be good Christians, but I believe in living authentically, and honestly I can’t smile, look at them, or even talk to them knowing behind their smiles are lies and a willingness to take again if given the chance. What is a good Catholic or Christian perspective on such a situation? I’m honestly wondering.
