The For-giveness Encounter

For-giveness: as a concept it is for you and for me, as we give to each other or give to ourselves, this divine and precious gift of love. God, too, has something for every single you-and-me, and the Lord wants to give.

For is the subject of forgiveness—for the one who receives.

To give is forgiveness’ object—for what they receive.

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When I for-give you,

And you for-give me,

Justice becomes true,

For both of us see.

When I for-give myself,

For those things I held true,

I take off the shelf,

What I no longer rue.

And when I for-give the other,

As they feel when they for-give me,

I am to myself a brother,

And so are they also free.

Forgiveness is healing,

The necessary part,

Giving sense to feeling,

As each find their heart.

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Forgiveness: The Relational Concept

Forgiveness is the relational concept. It’s a two-party process and event. Even as we forgive ourselves, we come to agree with once-dissonant parts of ourselves. We can see, then, that forgiveness between two persons or more, or groups, involves much more than the people involved. Each is held relationally within themselves and from there the relational dynamic explodes into myriad fragments.

Because forgiveness is relational it cannot be accurately analysed nor explained.

Forgiveness: Far Beyond Our Understanding

Forgiveness, being a relational concept, is worlds beyond human understanding. As there are many forms of relationship we have even with ourselves, and, so for others too that they also relate in many forms with themselves, only God can truly know.

The dynamics of forgiveness are about reconciliation and healing. These are relational mandates. God is the bequestor. Only God has the power to give someone the grace to forgive. Forgiveness is not a mere human transaction. It cannot be bought. It can hardly be requested, though we will try.

Many words could be written on forgiveness, and many words are. Words could be infinite and they still wouldn’t do justice to the majesty in such a thing.

And then, forgiveness is merely one superbly surreal manifestation of the splendour of God. And because this particular manifestation is mysterious, it holds us open to the enigma that is God.

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What can we do but for-give?

What right have we not to?

If we would but agree, God would thrust all his divine power into our hearts so we and they (the other party, whether part of ourselves or another person or group) could be freed and healed.

© 2012 S. J. Wickham.