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CALLED TO CREATE A CULTURE OF FORGIVENESS
by Sr. Brenda Walsh, Racine Dominican
In recent times, much has been written
about the need for us to live as forgiving and forgiven people. It is a means to
address the violent so rampant in our homes, street, nation and world. The goal
of forgiveness is to restore broken relationships with God, with each other and
with all of creation. It is also a gift we give to ourselves, that heals body,
mind and spirit. It brings us freedom and peace when we release the anger that
wants revenge. Over the years, I have listened to many people who are imprisoned
in their grudges from the past and from a lack of forgiveness. It can be found
in the lives of individuals, families, communities, and between nations, races
and cultures
Some have concerns about forgiveness. It
does not mean that we condone wrong or evil or that we are excusing the
wrongdoing or taking away the responsibility for justice to be done. Neither is
it about forgetting the injury that one has experienced. It is remembering and
then making a conscious decision to forgive. It is a process, a journey to
healing and hope. It calls us to let go of the hurt on the way to healing. This
may be a painful process and it cannot be rushed or glossed over.
Many religions consider forgiving an
import part of their belief system. Some time ago, we heard the story of the
Amish community choosing to forgive and murderer of their children, and reaching
out in support of the families of both the victims and the perpetrators. One of
their leaders said: "The acid of hatred only destroys the container."
Along the same line, Dag Hammarskjold,
former Secretary General of the United Nations said: "forgiveness may be the
only credible option to address the continuing escalation of violence. Jesus was
the supreme example of forgiveness as he hung on the cross, praying for his
murderers: "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." In
the Lord’s prayer, we ask: "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who
trespass against us."
Forgiveness is central to the life of a
believer. What is involved in the act of forgiving?
- First of all, forgiveness is a choice
of the heart, the opposite of "an eye for an eye approach. This means
letting go of negative judgments and resentments and any desire for revenge.
Then one must seek to replace them with thoughts of reconciliation and
peace. Identify and name the hurt you are dealing with.
- Acknowledge past hurts and draw on
spiritual resources to move beyond the hurt toward reconciliation and peace.
Name the feelings you need to let go of.. Move toward a higher moral ground
than that of the person who has injured us. Forgiveness is a spiritual gift
offered to us.
- We need a sense of our own worth in
order to forgive. By claiming our own God-given dignity and worth, we will
have a foundation from which to reach out in the process of forgiveness.
Often our lack of forgiveness may have something to do with our wounded
pride or our inability to get our own way.
- Be grateful for God’s generous
forgiveness of us. This will enable us to practice forgiveness in our daily
living.
- Think of the value of forgiveness in
our own wellbeing. And for the forming of health community and a peaceful
world.
- Find a way to move forward, knowing
we cannot change what has happened to us, but we can change the way we view
and respond to what has happened. Think of a way you can use the experience
to help others.
- We can only offer forgiveness. We
cannot control how the person we want to forgive will respond.
- Perhaps we can learn some truth about
ourselves and possible role in the conflice experienced.
Corporate forgiveness can change the
world. I saw it in my homeland, Ireland, a few years ago. After centuries of
conflict, the warring groups decided to get together and lay down their arms
and leave a legacy of peace, not of war for generations still to come. It
took a long time to arrive at that point. Several groups and individuals
were involved in the journey toward forgiveness. They sat down and worked on
a peace agreement and now they use their resources to build up the community
rather than destroy it by weapons of war. They are now enjoying a newfound
peace and are learning to live together in more trusting and caring
relationships.
As people of faith, we must continue
to strive to create a better and safer future for all people. On a personal
level, we will have little peace unless we allow the gift of the forgiving
heart to govern our daily actions and choices.
We can ask ourselves: What role might
forgiveness play in breaking the cycle of violence in families, on the streets,
in the workplace, halls of government and in our nation and world. Where have
you seen forgiveness at work in recent times, that has produced healing and
hope? Is there any action that you consider unforgiveable?
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Dominican Preaching Archive
 Preaching
is at the heart of the Dominican vocation. The Dominican Leadership Conference
claims for all members of the Dominican Family the right to preach, and commits
itself to the struggle this claim entails. The injustices of our day compel us
to place the charism of preaching at the service of the poor and powerless. The
Dominican prophetic message, rooted in experience, study and prayer, will move
both preachers and hearers of the word to act for the transformation of
oppressive structures. The Conference on its part will act corporately,
confronting evil with the Gospel and working for the construction of a just
world order.We embrace the mission of preaching for justice
with a commitment to act in collaboration with one another and all those with
and among whom we minister
------Dominican Leadership Conference
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