Forgiveness on Late Night TV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’  But I say to you: Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also,  and if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, give your coat as well,  and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...       Matthew 5: 38-44 NRSVue

 I'm one of more than 20 million people who have watched the 17-minute opening monologue offered by Jimmy Kimmel during his return to late night television. Of course, I saw it the next day. I didn't watch Jimmy Kimmel Live in real time because I'd been in the land of nod for hours at the time the show aired.

Kimmel's show was suspended because of what his network, ABC, and Disney deemed inappropriate remarks about the senseless murder of Charlie Kirk, a young right-wing phenom. The storm of protest over his suspension -- his comments were imprudent but not that controversial -- resulted in his reinstatement. Kimmel didn't apologize but he did clarify that he felt that violence never made sense and that he had immediately extended his sympathies to Kirk's widow, Erika. 

He was emotional at this point, on the brink of tears, and was again late in his monologue when he expressed admiration for the declaration of forgiveness by Erika during the memoral for Charlie: 

There was a moment over the weekend, a very beautiful moment. I don’t know if you saw this. On Sunday, Erika Kirk forgave the man who shot her husband. She forgave him. That is an example we should follow. If you believe in the teachings of Jesus, as I do, there it was. That’s it. A selfless act of grace, forgiveness from a grieving widow. It touched me deeply, and I hope it touches many. And if there’s anything we should take from this tragedy to carry forward, I hope it can be that.

I found Kimmel's praise of Erica Kirk touching, a profound moment on an often glib platform. 

At the Charlie Kirk  memorial President Trump followed Erika's comment that "the answer to hate is not to hate" saying “That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent and I don’t want the best for them. I’m sorry.”

Of course, Trump was not sorry and later his press secretary offered that the president was just being his authentic self. 

We might follow the example of Erika and Jimmy, and Jesus...remember Jesus?