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2000
TWO KINDS OF FORGIVENESS
As the days of Lent move forward a subject worthy of the season and our
reflection is forgiveness, not just the receiving of it, but the giving of it.
Biblically, the two images that most readily come to my mind are of the father of the prodigal son rushing to meet his son and
embracing him before the son has had the chance to ask for forgiveness, and the image of Jesus
looking down from the cross to those who had crucified him and praying, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."
I know I have much to learn in terms of forgiveness. It is a struggle for me, but I have come to recognize two distinct aspects of
forgiveness that have been helpful.
In the one kind I look to the root meaning of forgiveness which is "to let go." This is a general kind of forgiveness. It is a
forgiveness not asked for. It is what must happen after some divorces. It is what must happen
when opportunities for reconciliation have slipped away.
You have to let the other person go. You cannot harbor ill will. You must let lose of what you think to be the misbegotten deeds.
Nothing is resolved but it is ended and you give it up to God.
I think this is a form of forgiveness. We might hope for more but know we are not capable of any more. And, I believe God
honors this type of forgiveness.
The second type of forgiveness is more intense. It leads not to separate paths, each going his or her own way, but to
reconciliation. It cannot happen alone, as in the first form of forgiveness, but requires both
parties. It requires the one saying, "I am sorry for the hurt or harm I have caused you," and the other person willing and ready to embrace the one
whose lips have found the words that say, "I am sorry."
To offer such an embrace is to recognize how deep the bonds of love can be. It too, lets go, as in the first form of forgiveness,
but this time, it is only the sin, it is only the harm that has been done, you let go of, for in
your arms, you still hold the person, who a few moments ago you felt estranged from.
We would do well to learn both types of forgiveness but even when we do we must in all humility remember we fall short of both the forgiveness the
father offered the prodigal son and the forgiveness of Christ from the cross, for their forgiveness brought not
only reconciliation but was given before it was asked for.
There were no pentinent sinners at the cross, yet Jesus still prayed, "Father, forgive them."
This is the forgiveness we will celebrate at Easter.
We are reconciled.
We are forgiven.
Such is the love of God for us.
May as we prepare ourselves for Easter, we learn something in our own heart of what it means either to forgive or be forgiven by
one another, knowing all the while how much greater is God's forgiveness of us.
Dr. David W. Andersen
        
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