May we all be an instrument of God's mercy and forgiveness!
Newsmaker Editorial
by Phillip Guerra
When I first heard of this story, through the local news media in San Antonio, Texas, I realized that a prominent restaurant family had lost their beloved founder and mother, Viola Barrios.
After the initial shock of the loss, they began to recall stories that showed how this woman led life of example giving to those in need and forgiving the debts of those who borrowed, but couldn't repay.
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The story here is not about how the killer, which turns out to be a teenager, a boy next door, but how her own son, Louie Barrios, not only grieves for his mother, but also for the life of the killer.
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Lamenting that this teen has permanently scarred his own life with a capital offense. In unheard of actions the grieving son announced that they will pay for his legal defense and sat the family of the killer with them at the burial.
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I was so moved by the accounts of Express News Columnist Ken Rodriguez on how he marvelled at the "supernatural" and "otherworldly" forgiveness her son had towards his mother's killer. (Read Ken's Column on link below)
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The following links paint an astounding picture of the power of God to forgive in any situation. While the world's standards are always "an eye for eye and a tooth for tooth", God is capable giving us extrodinary compassion and love for our fellow man. As this remarkable story unfolds let us learn a lesson in forgiveness. Let's also hold both the Barrios Family in prayer as well as for salvation for the killer. Here are the links that continue the story.
Conclusion: Thank God for this woman and for the values of faith and forgiveness she instilled into her son and others.