Without Forgiveness we shall destroy our souls!

Without Forgiveness we shall destroy our souls!

Of all the destructive attributes any of us can commit it is holding a grudge towards another human being.  Watch how instinctive an animal will continue to come back to its owner no matter how often we seem to take our anger out on that helpless pet.  They only know how to please us by their constant adherence by sitting at our feet, looking for a sign of care.  

Make a mistake that may insult a relative or friend and watch the flare-up of mistrust or rejection towards a one-time companion that may become a rampart towards a new-found enemy.  Yet, that is the element in humanity that appears to be fodder for a plan to turn your back on that blood-brother maybe for life.  Look at the first image of this as we look at Cain and Abel.

Does that incident seem to be just a narrative in a story?  Or will this example sit between pages that wither away in time?  (Gn 4: 8).  What is brotherly love when one becomes so jealous that there is no more closeness between siblings that a plan of hatred becomes the only way to settle differences.

More than once Jesus spoke of forgiving our enemies.  The most pronounced time was with the Sermon on the Mount: “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.”  (Mt 5: 43 - 44).  Then again, from the Cross:  “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”  (Lk 23: 34).  

If this theme is difficult to use we must go back to the Old Testament and read where God planned to bring forgiveness to his creatures who constantly rejected him.  The only way he could show his mercy was to take the place of our sinfulness by using the Incarnation and assuming “human nature.”  (CCC 470).  Herein God could not be accused of not understanding the human condition.  As a man, connected to the divinity of himself, he was tempted just like us and sought forgiveness for all of his brothers and sisters.  

None of us is so perfect that we can rise above the scenario of weakness without becoming the perfection of God and now sharing our sinfulness with each other, and asking for mercy which is plentiful for the sinner whom God never rejected any one of us.

This teaching is more than a lesson in theology, it is the truth that was with God in the very beginning of humanity.  It is not a theory to be studied, it is a mandate given by the Lord the moment we took our first step in life’s tragedy of sin.  

One very important explanation of forgiveness:  When Jesus went to the Cross,he didn’t have all of our sins on his back like Santa Claus carrying gifts.  The question many are asking is why was his death necessary?  Sin of the world's inhabitants became the ultimate enemy against a Holy God and consequently needed to be destroyed.  Since Christ became our sin, it was him which now was sin that must be eliminated.  It was death to the evil that is sin in all its destructive mannerisms that once the Blood of Christ washed away the living entity of evil we were freed to now enter paradise, cleansed by the death of Jesus who took upon himself what none of us was capable of doing.  He, who became our sin now reigns forever and will welcome us to his side and heaven’s bliss.  

That forgiveness through Christ suffering for our weakness is now the opening in the clouds of doubt that has welcomed you and I into the eternal kingdom that we shall enjoy forever.

Ralph B. Hathaway