The Beauty of Forgiveness
“Forgive them Father for they know not what they do”
The above were the exact words that our Lord said while on the cross, one of the most humiliating way that he was sentenced to death.
What is Forgiveness ? Forgiveness is letting go of the belief that the other person did wrong. It is not saying “I know you committed a sin, but I will not hold it against you.”
I work for a software firm. An organization consisting of 200 employees, most males, a few females. It so happened one day that a friend of mine or rather that is what I thought he was, was enjoying a cup of tea with a group of guys in the organization while on a tea break. After a while it was brought to my notice that this friend was actually spoiling my image. Was surprised and inquired as to what exactly happened, firstly was informed that he was actually degrading my dress sense. He portrayed me as a very loose character girl who dressed up to attract the opposite sex. I was shocked and hurt. Many urged me to complain for abuse against him but I was never the type to complain. This abuse did not stop on that day, it continued, a few weeks later a close friend of mine came up to me and informed that this same friend was degrading my personal life too. Once again I felt betrayed, humiliated and insulted.
As far as society goes, a girl should fight for a her right but I refused to do so because I knew this would disrupt the harmony of this organization and my life would be a topic of discussion for every other person in the organization. It was at this time that I recalled these words “Forgive them Father for they know not what they do”. I used to say these words in continuous sequence for atleast half and hour a day. I didn’t know the effects of it, if it would bring me any consolation or not but I knew for sure it would definitely not bring me more harm then there was already.
Slowly I realized that it indeed has an amazing effect. I calmed down, tears stopped and the pain subsided. I felt a lot better. I have stopped interacted with my betrayer but today though I see him now and then, I no longer feel the hatred which was filled within me. Those words thought me to LET GO. I have got my freedom back, freedom from being bound to a person who is not worth of a friend like me.
I have realized the value and power behind the words shouted by our Lord, Jesus Christ as he hung to death. Those words are valuable and, trust me, they do work miracles.
The reason for writing out this article is not relate this experience, this experience is used only as an example which could take place to any ordinary working girl and am sure that many of you have dealt with betrayals even worse then this, the importance here is to be given to the words. Words which give you the instant peace and consolation of the Risen Lord. Let’s make it a habit not to hold anything against our brethren however bad the hurt maybe but take the example of our Lord and experience the beauty of forgiveness. To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you..
Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21,22).
Pulished by the Stella Maris Community for the monthly bullentin
