Cardinal Van Thuan: A Man of Love and Forgiveness

His Eminence Francis Xavier Nguyen Cardinal Van Thuan
with the Cross he made  from bits of woods and copper
electric wire while in Prison which later served as his
pectoral cross. Photo by Steven Siewert

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good." -Romans 12:9 (ESV)


His Eminence Francis Xavier Nguyen Cardinal Van Thuan, a Saintly man of God was imprisoned in Vietnam by the communist regime. He related his experience  during a Lenten Retreat with Pope John Paul II. This is the story:

While in prison, a guard asked him, "Do you Love us?

The Saintly Cardinals answered, "Yes, I love you."

The guard was surprised by the answer. He cannot believe the cardinal and his answer.

"That's very impossible! We have kept you in prison for many years. There was no sentence, no trial, and you still say you love us? Oh, that's not true!"

The good Cardinal replied, "You know it is true. I have been with you for many years."

The unbelieving guard said, "When you are free, will you send your followers to burn our houses, and kill our families for revenge?

"No, even if you want to kill me, I love you still." The Cardinal answered.

The guard asked again, "But why?

Cardinal Van Thuan  lovingly and in a soft voice answered, "Because our Lord Jesus taught us as his followers to love everyone, even our enemies. When I don't, I am no longer worthy to be called Christian."

"Very difficult to understand."  The guard finally said. "But beautiful!" He added.

Indeed, it is very hard to understand. It is very hard to love and forgive people who do harm to us, but let Jesus reminds us as Christians:

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." -Ephesians 4:32

Prayer:

Lord, teach us to love and forgive. Thank you for giving us a model in the person of Cardinal Van Thuan of Vietnam. Amen.