FEATURE

    DO you really know the true meaning of forgiveness? Do we really know how to forgive? Forgiveness is a much misunderstood word since we assure that it is a commonplace and, therefore, we perceive it as the same in any chance that it is used.

    We've all heard the common expression "forgive and forget." But those two words are synonymously or even closely related to each other. You may say I can forgive, but I can't forget. I think it has to do with caused inner suffering or after-effects of relationships which have been torn asunder or seriously ruptured.

    Surely, one such misconception is when you are forgiven, the hurt of offence is cancelled or undone. Impossible! The past cannot be undone anymore. We can make slaves out of bondage. It is like the case of declaring a criminal innocent. Or a person may charge and start all over again by the help of God. But canceling what has occurred, making it as if it had not happened, is a faulty reflection. Because what has occurred will remain as having occurred forever.

    You either have been offended or hurt or you have not. If you have, and to the extent   that you have, face up to it and attempt for reconciliation. Because it is a basis of doing penance for a wrong doing or making up for the negative, destructive things you have done in the past.

    It is easy to say you have been hurt that you will never trust that person again as you have done before. But that is beside the point. Because we will not do this if we do not value the relationship. Now, if the relationship does not matter, there would be no point of forgiveness.  

    Many people get hurt over nothing and they feel sorry for themselves. They even act like wet-diapered children when the normal painful event of life occur to them.

    Forgiveness is love in action. Love confronts us in the framework of forgiveness because we have broken our relationships with God and continue to do so. Therefore, forgiveness is love's road back home to God.

    Friend, thanks for your forgiveness.