FACING UP

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 14, 4 September 1984, Page 2

FACING UP

"Inner H ealing" Partl

As a priest, I find people are not so much sinful, as unsureorlost. Someare lost in life and do not know it. At the root of most people's problems is insecurity, and with this goes fear. Insecurity is healed by compassion. Love and understanding can cast it out. There is not one of us who has not been hurt in life at times. Most of us can remember some events and people that have hurt us deeply. The most damaging wounds retained in the memory are anger, resentment and unforgiveness. These wounds can be sustained over many years. They can fester, heal, reopen and heal again. In nourishing resentment and anger, I am doing myself no good, quite regardless of the effect of my anger upon others.

U nfortunately , o ur human nature — that unique mixture of spirit and matter — has some basic disorder within it, so that every one of us feels a struggle going on within us between good and evil. This human nature of ours stands in need of healing. While our memories of things and people in life can still hurt us, these hurtful memories can nevertheless be healed. This begins as I come to understand myself better and accept myself more. With a better understanding of the things that have happened in my life, such as how I related, or am relating, to my parents, then a measure of healing is already achieved.

Fr.

B.

Vella