“When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities,
do not worry about how or what your defense will be
or about what you are to say.
For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.” (Luke 12: 11-12)
I have a system that I use when I write for ACM each week. I start by reading through the daily scriptures without taking notes. I read them again and jot down the main points. Next I go back and read the complete chapters that each reading is taken from, taking additional notes. I then do some research into what others have written about each reading, again taking notes from these commentators.
I reread my notes and the readings again. Then the most difficult part. Waiting. I wait for something in the reading and in my notes to jump out at me in terms of what part of the readings I want to highlight and focus on. Sometimes it is immediate. I sometimes even have an idea when I first go through the readings. There are other times when I may wait overnight, considering how to best approach the reflection. That was the case with these readings.
Once it becomes clear what to write about, the rest comes easy. It is almost as if the reflection writes itself. As if someone else has taken over. And, of course, someone has. I firmly believe the Holy Spirit takes over and my words are merely an extension of that Spirit. Fred Prince says the same at the beginning of each of his reflections. Acknowledging that it is not us doing the writing but us doing God’s work here on earth. As Jesus tells His apostles in today’s Gospel, do not be afraid what to say when you go before men. The Holy Spirit will teach you what to say.
So this is what I decided to say today. It is not directly related to today’s readings. It is something I experienced last week during the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur is also called the Day of Atonement. It is the time, once per year, that Jews ask God to forgive them for any sins committed against Him during the year. Also a time when we are told to ask for forgiveness from persons that we may have harmed. It is said that “Yom Kippur atones for sins against God but it does not atone for sins against one another”. Now, personally, I am VERY glad as a Catholic that I can go before God, through a priest, to ask for forgiveness at any time and cleanse my soul and conscience rather than waiting for one day a year.
The emphasis for the holiday is forgiveness. We have a tradition at the synagogue that we attend to have a study group halfway through the day each Yom Kippur. Usually a topic is picked based on scripture, something in the prayer book or just some relevant issue. This year, appropriately enough, was about forgiveness. From a Jewish perspective and also in general. The essence of the discussion was whether forgiveness needs to be earned, such that the offender needs to do something to justify the victim accepting their apology? Or is forgiveness freely given regardless of the circumstances leading up to the offense?
The session began with the facilitator relaying an amazing personal story of conflict between himself and his Father that never resolved before his Father’s death. This created great anxiety in his life and affected his relationships with others. Specifically anger issues. The bottom line question was, is it possible to forgive someone even after they have died? The consensus was that forgiveness can function to help repair a relationship but it also is important to allow a person to unburden themselves from holding a grudge and remaining angry. Even without the other person being aware of your decision to forgive them. It is as much for your own well being as it is for the other person.
And in the situation where the offending person is still alive? It can be extremely difficult repairing a relationship without first forgiving them. Holding on to that internal anger can affect a person’s ability to have empathy enough to work out difficulties in a relationship. At that point effort can be made to repair the damage to the relationship that occurred due to the offense. And in this stage of the process, there IS a need to earn the trust of the victim. To take whatever action is necessary to correct the offense. Or to at least come to an understanding of what led up to that offense. The result may be a conversion of thought or merely an understanding of each person’s position and accepting it enough to move on in a more healthy relationship.
But it all starts with forgiveness. Recognizing that none of us is perfect and we may be in need of forgiveness at some point just like others are in need of you forgiving them. Regardless of how many times forgiveness needs to be given. Seven times? No, seventy times seven. After all, this is how often our heavenly Father forgives us. By even sending His only Son to die for our sins. Forgiveness without us ever being worthy enough to earn it.
