MAN AND FORGIVENESS
Humans, at times, find it very difficult to forgive one another. And this gets in the way of their intimate lives, reflecting upon, obviously, their day-to-day getting along with each other.
We know that individuals, on several occasions, try and make an effort to put forgiveness into practice, but they face much resistance even from within themselves. They know they need to change their behavior, but are unable to do so, for the obstacles lying inside them are huge. On a larger scale, this also occurs among different peoples, setting off, at times, even warlike actions.
And what should we say of the brother who cannot forgive his own flesh and blood? It’s worth remembering that Peter asked Jesus the following question, “Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother if he sins against me? Even seven times?” And Jesus answered, “I do not tell you even seven times, but seventy times seven.”
This lack of ability to forgive is what allows the spread of hatred in people’s relationships; and all this is very dangerous, for it has a tendency to grow without limits, capable of shaking the family structure, and even disrupting peace among men. For this very reason Jesus affirmed that, against this spread of evil, one should counteract with limitless forgiveness.
Don’t kid yourselves: it is necessary to forgive, forgive always. Not having the capacity to forgive makes up one of the greatest dishonors of the human being.
The mature people, those who are aware and dive into their inner self are more apt to forgive. And one must not forget that forgiveness is not a sign of weakness, it is not denying what is serious. Forgiveness is an act of the will, of being lucid, of greatness; for it consists of taking in a brother just as he is, in spite of the evil he might have caused us.
Read more about similar issues in my book “The Self And The World”, which is for sale at the links here specified.
We know that individuals, on several occasions, try and make an effort to put forgiveness into practice, but they face much resistance even from within themselves. They know they need to change their behavior, but are unable to do so, for the obstacles lying inside them are huge. On a larger scale, this also occurs among different peoples, setting off, at times, even warlike actions.
And what should we say of the brother who cannot forgive his own flesh and blood? It’s worth remembering that Peter asked Jesus the following question, “Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother if he sins against me? Even seven times?” And Jesus answered, “I do not tell you even seven times, but seventy times seven.”
This lack of ability to forgive is what allows the spread of hatred in people’s relationships; and all this is very dangerous, for it has a tendency to grow without limits, capable of shaking the family structure, and even disrupting peace among men. For this very reason Jesus affirmed that, against this spread of evil, one should counteract with limitless forgiveness.
Don’t kid yourselves: it is necessary to forgive, forgive always. Not having the capacity to forgive makes up one of the greatest dishonors of the human being.
The mature people, those who are aware and dive into their inner self are more apt to forgive. And one must not forget that forgiveness is not a sign of weakness, it is not denying what is serious. Forgiveness is an act of the will, of being lucid, of greatness; for it consists of taking in a brother just as he is, in spite of the evil he might have caused us.
Read more about similar issues in my book “The Self And The World”, which is for sale at the links here specified.
posted by Emilio Wildberger at 7:25 AM
4 Comments:
I really agree there are some people that hold grudges forever without even thinking about forgiving someone.
forgiveness is divine
You say, "Not having the capacity to forgive makes up one of the greatest dishonors of the human being."
I'm convinced your theory that we don't have that capacity is incorrect. Every person has the capacity to forgive, but everyone may not have the feelings they want to forgive. Big difference. Forgiveness is an act of the will first, not of the feelings. If we make the choice to forgive, even against how we feel at the time, feeling forgiving will eventually follow. I can say this from repeated personal experience, and I've seen others do the same so it's not just me.
Sometimes we must be disloyal to our feelings for the sake of the greater good, and often times, we loose ourselves from the bondage of bitterness in doing so.
Thanks for your post. It was though-provoking.
Brandy of The Building Brows
Forgiveness is not just a statement, it's a lifestyle--it's choosing into the most radical of decisions. It is not just saying, "That's Ok!" but saying that I will not exercise revenge (to which I have a right!)
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