Have to make an embarrassing reparation

[Blessings35]

Just looking for a little encouragement…

Almost 20 years ago, as a misdirected and unscrupulous teenager, I bore false witness, damaging another’s reputation (I told a damaging lie about a person to 2 friends).

The matter was of a subject grave enough that I feel reparation is absolutely necessary–also, when I recently confessed the sin, the priest mentioned our obligation to make reparation for harm to another’s reputation, where possible.

I am now faced with the daunting and incredibly embarrassing task of contacting these 2 people, to whom I have not spoken in nearly 20 years, to set the record straight–and I’m terrified!

I’ve decided to contact them via email. I know it’s a bit cowardly, but I’ve found their email addresses online and I’m not sure I can find their phone numbers. One actually lives out of the country.

I’m just so terrified…afraid that they might spread word of my contacting them to other old friends, and just generally afraid of being judged (albeit I know I deserve this and much worse).

If anyone could offer some words of encouragement, or advice from their experience having made a similar embarrassing reparation in the past, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[bbentrup]

I would be sure to establish that the email addresses are correct by contacting them first with a general email before a subsequent email “spills the beans”. Also, there may be some important legal differences in telling them orally vs. written communication you may wish to consider. Consulting with a lawyer is surely sound advice so that you don’t go expose yourself too much to others.

When you get around to actually rectifying things, tell them how embarrassed you are beforehand of a wrong that you had previously committed so that they may be more sympathetic, but will also realize the import of your narrative from the beginning. Plus, such a statement gets you into the tale, so to speak, so it’s easier for you to get to the conclusion since you’ve given away some of the climax.

At some level, this is like confessing to a priest, which many people also find embarrassing. Your old friends may get angry with you or worse, but if you remember that Jesus is with you and that the truth sets us free, you should be fine. They’ll likely find out in one lifetime or another anyway Be of good hope that all will turn out for the best for those who love God. Peace!