By José Dominiguez, March 28, 2019 — Maria, my deceased and loved wife was indeed a character. She inspired deep and strong feelings of attraction-repulsion. When we become US legal residents, we attended a Catholic church located at Sunland Park, New Mexico. We were very active and were included in several ministries at San Martin’s Church. There we knew many Hispanic people with whom we socialized and prayed.
One special lady was in touch with us. Her name is Alma and we called her “La Chola.” She was a very energetic and outspoken person. Alma was very dear to all the community and we enjoyed her good feelings towards us. Suddenly, Alma was apart from us and obviously she eluded our presence. A few weeks later, Alma stopped my wife in a moment when nobody was present and told her: “Maria, I came to ask you for pardon…I have spoken nasty things of you and…”
Maria interrupted her saying, “I don’t have nothing against you, thank you for your pardon request but don’t have nothing to regret from you.” “Nevertheless,” Alma said, “I can tell you what things I have said so you will know my wrong doing.” Not interested, Maria said, “You can keep those words for you. True pardon comes from Jesus. Pray and ask him for his pardon. I am only a poor soul looking for my own salvation.” And I thought for me it was a complete intent asking for pardon. Alma faced my wife, recognized her conduct, was willing to describe her faults and asked for pardon. Since then Alma is for me an example of a repented person acting as such.