In light of the suffering in the United States this week that resulted from the painful events that took place in Las Vegas a question beckons to be answered. How do we, as a nation and as individuals, receive healing after tragedy and heartache? Is freedom from tragedy ever possible? I guess you can tell by the title of today’s reflection that I am going to talk about the power of forgiveness, and this is correct. Forgiveness is the key to true healing, yet it is often the hardest thing to offer – or is it? Can we find a path through forgiveness into freedom? I believe we can. While the path may be an uphill climb on occasion, I do believe it is indeed a path our soul craves to journey on.
The “Good” Christian and Sin
While our minds often seek forgiveness because that’s what “good” Christians do, our hearts often find it hard to forgive. After all, it hurts when others harm us. Remember, we are programmed towards self-preservation. Without our self-preservation tendencies mankind would have perished a long time ago. When we are attacked our natural inclination is to fight or flight. We are not inclined to slow down and look into our heart for a loving solution. Not that it’s all bad to fight or flight – sometimes you do indeed need to take action to survive. However, we are created in the image of God and, given this, we are called to find a loving solution when necessary. Such a solution requires forgiveness.
Human tragedy and heartache has haunted humanity since the Fall. A wedge was driven between the hearts of our first parents at that moment. Within this wedge the thread of sin found its foundation in their hearts, a thread that would become woven in the tapestry of all humanity. This life stealing thread haunts mankind still today, as evidenced in Las Vegas this week. It is found at the root of all human tragedy. Freedom from such tragedy is only possible through the love of God and the forgiveness of his Son.
Distancing From God
A look at our readings today and we witness the aftermath of the painful effects of sin. In our first reading the Jewish people are reaching out to God in painful lamentations. They had experienced immense human tragedy and they were in need of healing. The people, and their ancestors, had committed egregious offenses against God and suffered as a resulted. The people broke the sacred covenant between themselves and God by worshipping other gods.
God selected the Jewish people to be a light for the world, so that the world would come to know God through them. He gave them a great spiritual gift – a gift that came with equally great spiritual responsibility. As a result, their offense against God carried greater spiritual weight then, let’s say, the sins of the Babylonians. When the Jewish people worshipped other gods it was a pretty big deal indeed! And now many of God’s chosen people were in Babylonian exile. Here they suffered for decades. Yet, little did they know, God would eventually rescue this faithful remnant and out of this remnant Jesus would be born.
Now Enters Jesus
God in his faithfulness eventually sent his Son into the world and many of God’s chosen people, once again, turned away. (Will we ever learn!) In today’s Gospel we see Jesus denouncing the people for their wickedness. His message is clear. The Gentiles (represented by Tyre and Sidon) will receive a greater place of honor then the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum (Jewish towns).
A new age is about to usher in, an age where God is known as the God of all – not just the God of a select group of people. Jesus is letting his followers know that they are being held to a new higher standard and that they are responsible to getting the good word out. All of God’s children, Jew and Gentile alike, are to be included and loved in the new age that is about to come.
At this time in his ministry Jesus had already delivered the Sermon on the Mount, instructed his disciples, and he had already performed many, many miracles for the people to see. The word was out, and while his followers were growing in number, those opposing him were becoming very aggressive. Hostility towards Jesus was growing, primarily as a result of the stance the Pharisees and Sadducees took against him. Things were getting ugly and bad things were going to happen if the people didn’t change their ways.
Passing the Baton
As we know, not everyone turned away from Jesus – many changed their ways and followed him. A new movement formed and the Church was born. Jesus even placed a new leader in charge of this new inclusive group – the Apostle Peter. Jesus also simplified the commandments for his followers: love God above all else and love your neighbor as yourself. With the two new simplified commandments, and their new leader, Christians were ready to move forward into the world right – well kinda.
Alas, somethings are easier said than done. The new Christians were about to experience all kinds of persecution – do you think “someone” or “something” didn’t want Christianity to take off? Before the new Christians could love as Jesus commanded them they had to learn how to forgive. Love cannot exist in a heart where anger, resentment, fear, or jealousy towards another resides. Only forgiveness can create a space in the human heart for healing. Once the heart is healed love will usher in. The early Christians knew this and they tried their best to practice forgiveness.
As Jesus’ followers received the baton of evangelization, they went out into the world to spread his message of love and forgiveness. The early Christians were called to be the light of the world inviting all into the Kingdom – Jews and Gentiles alike. This still holds today.
Today’s Christian
Christians across the world are called into the love and forgiveness Christ revealed on the cross. His message has not changed and the world today still needs what he offers. This brings me to the tragedy in Las Vegas earlier this week. While not everyone in attendance at the country music concert in Las Vegas was Christian, statistics do point to the fact that most country music fans are indeed Christian. The heroic efforts of the fans, the police, and the first responders was amazing. People literally gave up their lives as they protected their brothers and sisters. They sang God Bless America together before the concert. And after the tragedy I witnessed many reaching out to God offering him gratitude while asking for prayers, help, and healing.
How does one heal from such tragedy and loss? The only path is the path of Christ – the path of love and forgiveness. The path towards recovery will be arduous and challenging for those most affected in Las Vegas – especially those who suffered injury and loss of a loved one. Let’s come together and pray for those who suffer in Las Vegas and those who suffer all around the world. This is not a time to foster greater division, it is a time to foster inclusion. Remember, the Pharisees and Sadducees fostered division and they lost sight of their King. This is a time to come together, support one another and allow our souls to grow in greater love. I pray that God’s grace of forgiveness flows into our nation’s heart and in the heart’s of the people who lost so much this week in Las Vegas. May they receive the comfort their souls cry out for.
Growing In Forgiveness
God’s children are still suffering and there is only one way to escape our pain – through his Son. When we move through Jesus we move through a milieu immersed with forgiveness. However, before we can fully surrender we must allow Jesus to guide us. If you are searching for ways to grow in forgiveness I invite you to practice my Forgiveness Circle Meditation, it continues to help me on my spiritual journey. Here is the link: Forgiveness Circle Meditation
God bless all of you – see you next week Friday! – Carolyn
Sacred Heart of Jesus – have mercy on us.
Father God – consume us.
Holy Spirit – enter into us.
Saint Mother Mary – pray for us.
Saint Bruno – pray for us.
