“To Forgive Is Divine” “To err is human, to forgive is divine.” So wrote the great 18th C English poet, Alexander Pope, in his monumental poem, An Essay on Man. It was his attempt to inform humanity of their need to strive for the ethical and moral in their lives, to seek the way of love and salvation thru God, regardless of their human condition. He recognized that this was not only for the individual’s benefit, but for the welfare of the global community, because harmony and peace and productivity in our world begins with forgiveness, which is in many ways, the fore-runner of love. But forgiveness must come from the heart to be divine. Christ points out that, if, for example, we are counting how many times we forgive someone, our forgiveness is not valid nor genuine. Such forgiveness is not that of our merciful God. Indeed, all today’s scripture readings tell us that, if we desire God to forgive our sins and failings, then we must forgive others with sincere, honest, loving conviction. Another great English writer certainly knew the power and significance of forgiveness: William Shakespeare. I noticed Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet, was playing on several TV stations at the same time: SLVSC was airing the first film version in 1936, with Norma Shearer and Leslie Howard, PBS was hosting a recent production of Prokofiev’s ballet, and TCM was showing, West Side Story, Bernstein’s modern musical adaptation. Perhaps there was a message behind this? Most of us would likely describe Romeo and Juliet as a tragic story of love and loss. But considering today’s gospel message was clearly about ‘forgiveness’, it occurred to me that Shakespeare’s play is not so much about love, as it is about forgiveness. The motivation of the play is the bitterness, anger, and vengeful nature of people who will not forgive each other. In the end, reconciliation is only realized after the deaths of their children, innocent lambs, sacrificed for the sins of their families, much as Christ was sacrificed for our sins. But the result is sincere reconciliation of the families. Forgiveness abounds in the final lines: Juliet’s father says, “O brother, Montague, give me thy hand. This is my daughter’s act of joining us.” Romeo’s father says, “But I can give thee more: For I will raise her statue in pure gold.” Juliet’s father further adds, “[Our children.] Poor sacrifices of our enmity.” The Prince says, their story is to be retold and remembered for the benefit of all – of us! The inability to forgive is perhaps the most destructive state we can ever be in. It goes to the very core of our being, shutting out peace and contentment, barring us from living productive, generous lives, and, most sadly, our ability to love. “Is there someone you are at odds with? Then leave your gift at the altar, and first go to make amends with your brother or sister.” How many of us possibly bear inside our hearts the anger, hostility, and sadness of broken relationships with parents, spouses, family members, relatives, neighbours, co-workers, bosses, sometimes even sadly too late before death abruptly closes the door of forgiveness. Our mind and spirit become depressed, while science tells us this negativity sickens our physical bodies. And what about the guilt and remorse we subject the unforgiven party to? Have we responded to them charitably when they ask for our forgiveness? Or do we punish them with our silence, unreturned phone calls, or complaints about them to others. Or perhaps we are the offending party. Perhaps we are finding it difficult to say, “I’m sorry.” Being sorry – or sorrowful for one’s behaviour – invites the healing which ‘forgiveness’ brings, but many cannot put away their pride to do so. Are we asking which is more difficult: to say we are ‘sorry’, ask for forgiveness? Or ‘to forgive’? But this is not the question we as Christians should be asking. As Christians, we must apologize and forgive everyone in everything, because we all have hurt someone, and we all have been hurt. We all need forgiveness, and we need to forgive all who have wronged us. Forgiveness paves the way to God who forgives us, re-embraces us, and, through us, forgives others. What a relief this is! Philanthropist and writer, Wilferd Peterson, once wrote, “People who cannot forgive, break down the bridge over which they themselves must pass.” Build bridges, not walls. Reach beyond the difficulties and tests of our human condition, and seize life’s challenges with a kind regard for our mutual frailty, and forgive each other’s failings. Without forgiveness, there is No love. Without love, there are No healthy relationships – not with God, nor with community, nor with the world. Seize the moment now – today! Don’t question it. Make the call. Apologize. Reach out. Forgive them, because to forgive “from the heart” is divine. – Rev Fr Christopher Tracey, Saint Joseph Parish, Saugeen Shores, Ontario
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Father's Blog
Rev. Fr. Christopher Tracey
|