Thoughts for the Day

Jesus said, ‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Nelson Mandela was incarcerated from 1964-1982 at Robben Island Prison off Cape Town for his work in fighting Apartheid. He was subsequently kept at the maximum-security Pollsmoor Prison until 1988, when, after being treated for tuberculosis, he was transferred to Victor Verster Prison near Paarl. When he was freed after 27 years in prison he called for forgiveness for those who had incarcerated him, and he asked Desmond Tutu to run the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that heard the victims stories, giving an opportunity for forgiveness.

Many stories were horrific, like this one: A policeman had shot a young man, then burnt his body. Some years later he returned and did the same to the boy's father, making his wife watch.

The judge asked the widow what she wanted done. She said she wanted the man to collect the dust from where her husband had been burnt, so she could give him a decent burial, and added, "He is forgiven by God, and I forgive him too". Her final request? That he spend two days a month in the ghetto. Her family was all gone but she had a lot of love still to give, she explained, and she wished to be 'a mother to him.' The policeman fainted in shock!

Who do you need to forgive - perhaps for how they have hurt you, trampled on your feelings, ignored you, or for something else? Saying "I forgive you!" is the first step to healing yourself.

Lord Jesus Christ,
You forgive us when we say we are sorry,
and we know You forgave the dying thief,
and those who crucified You.
May we learn that when we withold forgiveness
we harm only ourselves.
The times we wallow in righteous anger,
or live in the shadow of grief,
puts our own life on hold.
May we not forget,
but may we learn to forgive.
Amen.