It occurred to me this week that I tentatively ventured into the realm of blogging in September, eleven years ago. Some of you have been following this blog virtually from the beginning, and I thank you. I've wondered about the relevance of continuing with this form of expression. I've had angry parishioners scold me for not expressing their views through my personal blog. I wondered if I would have the will to continue past retirement (apparently I have.)
It's interesting that my first blog entry, also on a Friday the 29th, was on the subject of forgiveness. I have a row of books on forgiveness but Helping People Forgive is a classic.
On the shelf in front of my computer is a recent book called The Limits of Forgiveness: Case Studies in the Distortion of a Biblical Ideal. The subject intrigues me given how often ministry presented me with examples of the challenges of forgiveness for others and myself. I'll let you know if I ever get around to reading it.
Meanwhile...
Friday, September 29, 2006
Forgiveness
In this way we differ from all the animals. It is not our capacity to think that makes us different, but our capacity to repent, and to forgive. Only humans can perform that most unnatural act, and by doing so only they can develop relationships that transcend the relentless law of nature.
Alexandr Solzhenitsyn
On October 10th I am beginning a study group on the subject of forgiveness. It's probably because of my preparation that I'm noticing that anger, apologies, hatred, forgiveness, alienation, retaliation, reconciliation, are all themes that show up on almost a daily basis in the news. Yesterday the head of the RCMP in Canada apologized to Maher Arar for their part in his nightmarish suffering at the hands of the Syrians. Will Arar forgive them? Should he?
One of my favourite books on the subject of forgiveness is Helping People Forgive by David Augsburger. Augsburger says that forgiveness is a bridge which must bear weight under the coming and going of life. It's a helpful metaphor for me. All religions speak of forgiveness and Christianity focusses on the forgiving love of Jesus. But that forgiveness can't be flimsily constructed or it will fall to the ground.
3 comments:
Where and what time are you leading this study on forgiveness?
Alas, Judy, it came and went...eleven years ago. I included that very first blog from 2006 along with my thoughts for the day. We probably all need a refresher course every year!
Ah, yes, so I see .... I was reading/scanning quickly. Need to slow down, I guess !
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