Forgiveness is never easy

FORGIVENESS IS NEVER EASY

Jn. 21: 1-19

When the Vietnam War was in progress, I am sure you remember the unforgettable picture of the naked little girl, with arms outstretched, running down a road crying in distress.  Her clothes had been burned away by a napalm bomb.  Years later, we learned that her name was Kim and she was nine years old. The bombing raid on her village had been set up by an American officer named John Plummer.  He allowed the bombing because he thought it was only occupied by military personal.  When he saw the picture of the little girl he was devastated and heart broken.  The image of that burned frightened child haunted him for days and nights.  Sadly, he took to drink and could not go back to work.  This cost him his marriage and what little self-respect he had left.

He remarried, became a Christian and a Methodist minister.  Gradually his life began to return to normal, but he was still haunted by the image of this girl burned and weeping little girl.  Then one day in June 1996, the two of them met face to face.  Kim was now a grown woman, and Plummer a middle-aged man.  The former military officer sobbed out in shame saying over and over again, “I am sorry, I am truly sorry.”  Kim had to reassure him that he was forgiven.  She kept saying, “It’s alright. I forgive you.”  The two of them embraced.  For the first time in twenty-five years John Plummer was a free man.  It was like being let out of prison.  His friends had tried to help him feel better.  They had pointed out to him that he was only doing his job.  His country was at war and he did not intentionally target the child.  He never knew she was there.  It wasn’t his fault.  He should not be blaming himself.  None of that helped him, until he heard from that girl the words, “I forgive you.”

Our Gospel story tells a similar story.  Peter was a man consumed with shame and guilt.  He had disowned his friendship with Jesus.  Worse still, when Jesus needed a friend, he didn’t want to know Him.  His behaviour was cowardly.  I know we are relating how it all happened, but how many of us would have acted differently from Peter?  When Peter realised what he had done, he went away to be alone and wept like a child.  He was an utterly dejected man, but all this was to change with one conversation with Jesus.  Peter at last found peace.  This process of healing for Peter was difficult, but Jesus made it easier.

How many times one partner in a marriage has been unfaithful. For both of them it is going to be difficult.  When the offended one says, “Never mind.  Try to forget it.  I know how you feel you have hurt me, but I do forgive you.  I want you to be happy. Let's put the past behind us and start again” Only one who really cares can really forgive.  Jesus cared about Peter.  He cared about the friendship they had built.  When Peter, through fear, threw aside the most precious thing he had, both their hearts were broken and they could not forget it.  It was not easy for them to meet again.  It was Jesus who took the initiative and asked Peter, “Do you love Me?”

It was not easy for Kim, the Vietnamese girl to say, “I forgive you.”  She was terribly wounded.  Her body was still scarred.  In addition, her two brothers were killed in the same raid.  Satan must have strongly tempted her to hate the man who had done this to her.  Yet, she was able to forgive.  That did not bring back her two brothers or take away the scars on her body.  Her forgiveness did one thing.  It healed the hurts between a Vietnamese woman and an American pilot.  Forgiveness is never easy, but it is the only thing that can restore love between the one who has been offended and the offender. 

To betray a friend, to feel ashamed, then to be taken back and trusted once again is surely one of the most humbling experience a proud person can know.  Peter was a proud man.  Only a few days earlier, he had pledged his unfailing loyalty to Jesus.  In the presence of his fellow Apostles he had said, “Though all the rest will let you down, not I.”  Even after being warned by Jesus that he would deny Him three times, he went and did it.  Yet, here he is being accepted and trusted by Jesus once again.  That was not easy for Peter.  He had to make his confession and seek forgiveness from Jesus.

That it is how forgiveness is to work with us, whether it is in our relationship with God or our loved ones or neighbour.  It worked for Jesus and Peter.  It worked for Kim and the American airman John Plummer.  From the bottom of her heart she said, “I forgive you.” 

Lord Jesus, we have to say 'I am sorry' to You, our loved ones and our neighbour when we have hurt them.  When we do, healing takes place and a great stone is rolled away and we can rise with You.

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