When I offered, several weeks ago, to do a topical reflection for today on the theme of forgiveness I - possibly foolhardily – never thought to check the date. We submit these reflections at least a week before they are published so I have no idea whether we have President Trump or Harris in the White House, or what may have happened in the latest twist of the tragedy that is the war in the Middle East. I clearly haven’t made my job easy.
Sadly, what I can predict is that forgiveness, that rarest of commodities, is likely to continue to be in short supply. It would be refreshing if the losing candidate in the US Presidential election gracefully concedes defeat and calls for unity, forgiving the barbs (and worse) of the last few weeks. And it would be wonderful if there is a lasting ceasefire and a hope for peace in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon. But I am not holding my breath.
We all instinctively know the power and importance of forgiveness. In the Lord’s Prayer we regularly ask God to forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. We know that forgiveness heals our own wounds, builds us up and helps us move on.
But talk is cheap, and forgiveness is easy when we are praying for someone else to forgive. What about the parent in Israel, waiting for news of their child who was taken hostage in the Hamas attacks of 7th October last year? What about the Palestinian family who has lost a loved one in the Israeli bombardments, and lives today in constant fear of further attack? As Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said: “Everyone says that forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive.”
And yet, forgive we must. It is said that two-thirds of all Jesus’s teaching was about the mystery of forgiveness. In the well-known parable of the “prodigal” son in Luke 15, Jesus tells the story of a son who took his share of his inheritance and turned his back on his family. When, penniless, he came to his senses, he returned home with no expectations of reconciliation and only a request to become a hired servant. But it is the father who is the central figure in the story, for he embodies forgiveness. He is scanning the horizon, longing for his son’s return and for the hope of reconciliation. He doesn’t wait for the son to ask for forgiveness but makes the first move, running to him and kissing him. He makes no demands on his son, or asks why he left, but he simply says: “Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” (Luke 15 vv23-24).
Forgiveness takes courage and strength. Forgiveness is radical. As we continue to uphold the conflict in the Middle East and other trouble spots around the world, may we pray for a spirit of forgiveness on all sides, breaking down barriers and sowing seeds of discord against the backdrop of violence, hatred and mistrust. And in forgiving, may we all learn that, as the American theologian Lewis B. Smedes said: “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.”
God of peace, bearer of hope,
we seek your help
for the peoples of the Middle East.
Quiet the clamour of war
and guide us towards peace.
Where there is hatred and division
sow seeds of calm and openness.
Where there is destruction
help us to rebuild.
Where children are crying
bring an end to tears.
Shelter your peoples and protect them
Guide them and keep them from harm.
Show us how to break down the barriers of history and fear
and breathe whispers of hope.
Amen.
Linda Jones / CAFOD
Philip Clarke
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