“Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.”
—Mark Twain
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During a press conference, press officer Claire Castro called upon the majority of senators to draft a letter requesting President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. to convene a special session for the ballyhooed impeachment trial of Vice President Sara “Inday” Duterte.
In response to Castro’s suggestion, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, when interviewed on radio dwPM, replied, “Let’s just forgive her.”
Hearing Escudero’s statement reminded me of the expression, “Forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Those words originated from the biblical text in the book of Luke (23:34). Jesus Christ uttered those words during His crucifixion. The quote embodies themes of forgiveness and compassion directed towards those who contributed to His anguish.
Today’s piece does not focus on the impeachment brouhaha, as I do not specialize in political writing, nor does it address the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, since I am neither a priest nor a pastor. Instead, the primary theme of this discussion is the concept of “forgiveness.”
Forgiveness, as defined by the Webster’s New World Dictionary, is “to give up resentment against or the desire to punish; pardon; to overlook an offense; to cancel a debt.” Thus, the goal of forgiveness is to let go of a hurt and move ahead with life.
The Holy Bible has taught us why we should forgive and how we should do it. The Lord’s Prayer told us: “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). Also in the same vein, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14).
“Forgiveness is our command,” C. Neil Strait said. “Judgment is not.”
Can you recall the account of the woman accused of adultery, as detailed in the Gospel of John (8:1-11). She was presented to Jesus by the teachers of the law and the Pharisees, who inquired about the appropriate course of action, citing the Law of Moses, which mandated that an adulteress be stoned.
In a subtle manner, Jesus addressed the group: “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”
No one dared; in fact, they went away one at a time until only Jesus was left and the woman. “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” Jesus asked.
“No one, sir,” the woman replied. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
American poet Edwin Markham was nearing his retirement when he learned that the individual he had entrusted with his finances had wasted all his savings. This revelation shattered his hopes for a secure retirement.
He began to dwell on the unfairness of the situation and the resulting loss, which fueled his anger. As time passed, his resentment intensified.
One day, while seated at his desk, Markham found himself absentmindedly drawing circles in an attempt to calm the inner turmoil he was experiencing. Ultimately, he reached the resolution: “I must forgive him, and I will forgive him.”
Reflecting on the circles he had sketched on the paper, Markham penned these renowned lines: “He drew a circle to shut me out – heretic, rebel, a thing to flout. / But Love and I had the wit to win: we drew a circle that took him in!”
“Forgiveness is not a feeling; it is a commitment. It is a choice to show mercy, not to hold the offence up against the offender. Forgiveness is an expression of love,” said Gary Chapman, American author and host.
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” This profound insight emphasizes that forgiveness is not indicative of frailty; rather, it reflects immense strength.
By choosing to forgive, we assert authority over our emotions and behaviors. Although releasing anger can be difficult, doing so exemplifies our resilience. Embracing forgiveness fosters personal growth, enabling us to progress rather than linger in pain. By summoning the strength to forgive, we can restore our lives and attain inner peace.
One of the most renowned quotations regarding forgiveness is attributed to Alexander Pope, who stated, “To err is human; to forgive, divine.” This enduring statement serves as a reminder that making mistakes is a fundamental aspect of being human.
The ability to forgive is a noble quality that enables us to transcend our imperfections. Recognizing that we are all prone to errors encourages us to accept and extend forgiveness to others. By acknowledging our common humanity, we cultivate compassion towards one another. This understanding can strengthen our relationships and enhance the sense of community among individuals.
“If you have a thing to pardon, pardon it quickly,” Arthur W. Pinero once pointed out. “Slow forgiveness is little better than no forgiveness.”
How many times are you expected to extend forgiveness to another person? The Bible recounts an instance where Peter inquired of Jesus Christ regarding the appropriate number of times to forgive someone who had wronged him. Was forgiving seven times sufficient? Jesus responded, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
