On Forgiveness

   I have always enjoyed the “wisdom stories” told by Jesus in the New testament, and the one that comes to me now from the Book of Matthew, Chapter 18, takes place when Jesus’ apostle, Peter, asks him how often he should forgive others (as he may have been looking for a reason to end the need for considerate behavior!) Peter poses a scenario: “Until seven times seven?” Very quickly Jesus responds with, “Until seventy times seven,” which many people take to mean continual, endless forgiveness. There is thoughtfulness in this response, for to suggest otherwise could imply opportunities for continual upset, and who needs this…..?

Life demands the best of us...

Life demands the best of us, and sometimes our bests are not very good. We make mistakes in the ways in which we deal with others; we make imperfect judgments about them, judgments which can keep us bound to people through ideas that are often short sighted and wrong. Forgiveness holds release within it, and often letting go of hurtful situations gives everyone a chance for a new start or maybe an opportunity for all to walk away and make a new beginning somewhere else.

Forgiveness is a powerful spiritual practice...

Continual forgiveness may be an old idea, but it is just as useful today as it ever was. Who needs to remain stuck in a mistake or in something that needs a simple release? Forgiveness is a powerful spiritual practice which brings freedom when it is utilized. I’d like to think I could be readily forgiven when needed just as I would choose to be big enough to forgive.


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