Embracing Forgiveness
It’s the
"up" side of sin. When we take a scan of our own thoughts and behavior and know
that we have been forgiven, we find it harder to judge someone else's thoughts
and behavior. Forgiveness softens our heart. Love flows more freely when we've
been forgiven. When we are still dwelling in a house of dark corners, we want to
turn our eyes away. We often turn them on someone else's dark corners. Somehow
if we make much of their sins and failures, we will not have to stare at our
own. Rather than looking away from the dark corners of our own house, we might
find our hearts able to expand with love and forgiveness for ourselves and
others if we just sit very still and notice the unconditional love of God
swirling around us. Let these questions help you plumb the depths of what keeps
you from forgiving yourself and others.
- Whom
do I most need to forgive and why have I not forgiven them?
- If I
was alone with the Holy One, what would the Holy One tell me about
forgiveness?
- When
I have withheld forgiveness, how has my soul been affected?
- When
have I felt so forgiven that I felt my life had been given back to
me?
- What
does my unwillingness to forgive and forget say about my
faith?
- How
has God forgiven me and what freedom have I experienced as a
result?
- What
can I do to be part of the reconciliation of the world?