The Courage to Forgive

Reflection

Jesus, in his teaching, taught us to forgive and by his example showed us that he forgave even those who caused his death.  But Jesus did not teach that forgiveness was for the benefit of other people, but about ourselves, our relationship with God, and only then for the benefit of another. Forgiveness does not excuse the actions of someone who has hurt us, it doesn't pretend that everything is OK with those who have caused harm, who have abused, who have caused damage. 

Forgiveness is letting go of our own bitterness, our own hurt, our resentment, and our own need for revenge or 'payback'. When we do not forgive, to quote something of unknown provenance, it is 'like drinking poison and expecting the other person to get sick.' Jesus calls his followers to love not just friends or family, but neighbours to whom we have no alliegeance nor connection, and even to love our enemies. This kind of love takes the courage of faith, and the courage to forgive.

Poem

Forgiveness

My heart was heavy, for its trust had been
Abused, its kindness answered with foul wrong;
So, turning gloomily from my fellowmen,
One summer Sabbath day I strolled among
the green mounds of the village burial place;
Where, pondering how all human love and hate
Find one sad level; and how, soon or  late,
Wronged and wrong-doer, each with meekened face,
And cold hands folded over a still heart,
Pass the green threshold of our common grave,
Whither all footsteps tend, whence none depart,
Awed for myself, and pitying my race,
Our common sorrow, like a mighty wave,
Swept all my pride away, and trembling I forgave!

John Greenleaf Whittier

Scripture

Jesus said, “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.”       Mark 11.25

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