The past doesn't matter

Rosa believed in God in her youth and was one of the many people who later professed disbelief in Cuba when the teaching of scientific atheism was established after the 1960s. The difference between her story and that of my father and José that I narrated in previous meditations, is that Rosa did not wait for the last moments of her life to take the road back. Her decision was costly and difficult, but it allowed her to express her faith and enjoy not only a renewed and vital communion with his God, but of the Christian fellowship that he so badly needed.

She was a very active believer during her teens. As he later recounted, those were the happiest and most beautiful years of his life. By falling in love with an unbelieving man and marrying him, she turned away from the faith and was introduced into an atmosphere of total disbelief, rejection of religion and especially Christians.

A teacher by profession, she became the principal of a high school where she stood out not only for her ability and efficiency, but because she was harsh with her young students who claimed to be believers. He made fun of them publicly and - why not say so? - mistreated and discriminated against Christians in his school. When her husband died early, who initiated, strengthened and sustained her in atheism, Rosa felt that her life was empty and to her own amazement she discovered that her attack on Christians was a kind of hidden pain and resentment, because she admired and loved them. It hurt that she hadn't been able to stay faithful.

The happy memories of his youth in church assailed him and pricked him like goads. One day, obeying an intimate impulse, she entered the temple crying and in a few minutes she told me her story. Abandoned in tears, she listened to the Sunday school class and rededicated her life completely to the Lord. I must confess that several members of my church distrusted her because they were aware of her previous attitudes at school toward believers!

However, her later conduct erased all doubt and she was welcomed into the congregation. Rosa had truly returned to God in repentance. He therefore enjoyed precious moments in his life as he returned to church and experienced communion with the sons and daughters of God. The day of her baptism was quite a feast and she experienced unspeakable joy. With what joy he came to church activities each time. Few people I saw enjoying my preaching and teaching so well.

The difference between Rosa's story and those told in previous meditations was that she made a decision in time and was able to enjoy the Christian life openly. God's forgiveness is broad and receives everyone who seeks him, no matter when in his life he does so. The Bible teaches that if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1: 9).

God bless you!