Forgiveness

I just returned from Mass with my students, and they are with their math teacher now, so I decided to take a  quick break from correcting essays on the Civil Rights Movement to write today's slice. I teach at a co-ed, Catholic school with a student body of approximately one thousand students. Once every month, the entire school corrals into the gym for an all-school Mass. We are currently in the season of Lent (based on the Liturgical calendar), which is the time, according to Christians, when Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected for the forgiveness of sins. Anyway, the priest's message focused on Forgiveness, which is a major theme during this church season and whether or not you are religious, Forgiveness is an important element in our human lives.

Majority of the time it is pretty simple for us to say, "Thank you," when we receive a kind gesture or a gift. Most people are also fairly comfortable with telling their loved ones, "I love you." But, saying "I am sorry," or "I forgive you," can be quite challenging for most of us. Asking for forgiveness for matters of the heart requires us to show humility and let go of our pride. It is difficult for me because I am admitting that I am wrong and caused someone else to hurt. I think you need to be truly ready to ask for forgiveness from someone because it is not about just saying "I'm sorry," but it requires a change in behavior in order to demonstrate that your apology was genuine.

Being able to forgive someone for causing you to hurt, is equally challenging. For me, being able to forgive someone is having the ability to forget the hurt they caused you, as well. I have always believed that although granting forgiveness is tough, forgetting is even tougher. Some forgive, but don't forget. I am not sure if this is a true sign of forgiveness? However, holding on to something that affected us IS human nature. But why forgive, if one cannot forget?

I think back to things I have done that hurt others. To those who I asked forgiveness from, have they truly forgiven me?  I also think back to things people have done to me to cause hurt. Although I said that I forgave them, did I mean it? Was I able to let go and move forward?

Forgiveness is a complicated thing; however, I think that allowing forgiveness to become a common part of your life can make each of us stronger and capable of love.