Why do we like stories?
I’m sure there are many answers to that question. But I have a suspicion that they inspire us to think about how we might apply big, important ideas to our own lives.
I’m about to share a story with you. It’s very inspiring. It’s also troubling. Let that be a warning to you. It speaks of a young person being assaulted. It also tells of her exceptional faith and forgiveness, even toward her attacker. As I said, this story is not for everyone, so if that’s you perhaps it is best to skip this one. On the other hand, it may also need to be something you need to hear.
In July 1902 Alessandro Serenelli committed a horrific act of evil. He tried to rape an eleven-year old girl in a small Italian village. Her name was Maria.
He mortally wounded her in the process. She died of peritonitis. Bacteria from her intestinal tract leached into her bloodstream and ate her alive.
She was suffering greatly during that last day on earth. But she said something before she died. They are words that are so powerful, so loving, so forgiving, that they will never be forgotten.
Maria said: “I forgive Alessandro Serenelli, and I want him with me in Heaven forever.”*
Remember that this was an eleven-year-old girl. Given that she grew up in a small Italian village in 1902, I’m assuming that she grew up as a devout Roman Catholic. She probably attended services weekly with her family. In the Eucharist, she was reminded about Jesus’ forgiveness. And over the years, she had probably heard a lot about forgiveness, perhaps as it is described in Colossians 3:13: “as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
I’m not saying it was easy (past tense). And I’m not saying it is easy (present tense). I’m also not saying it will be easy (future tense). What I’m saying is that Maria’s words demonstrate the profound enormity of her understanding of the grace of God.
Today, and every day, we need that reminder.
“I forgive Alessandro Serenelli, and I want him to be with me in Heaven forever.”
Forgiveness is more powerful than our internal engines which are so naturally calibrated for vengeance. Yes, grace is bigger than our boxes.
“As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
Notes:
-*Carlos Martins, The Exorcist Files: True Stories about the Realty of Evil and How to Defeat It (New York: Faith Words, 2024), 131.
-Bible quotes are from the ESV.
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