
I just got hooked in this farming frenzy. Quite entertaining but definitely time-consuming, I must say.
A peek in the humdrums, peculiarities and perceptions of the person within . . .



I'm trying hard to make my quiet time more regular now. I miss writing my thoughts on it. Here's my insight on the passage I've read.
We can view forgiveness at two planes. At one plane, it is forgiveness in situ, in the actual situation when and where it happened wherein Jesus forgave those who nailed Him to the cross, those who mocked Him, whipped Him and caused Him so much physical suffering. We can even extend it further to mean that He forgave those who shouted for Him to be crucified.
In a higher place, we can view forgiveness as the central theme of Christ’s ministry.
The Bible says that “all men have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God” but yet God forgave us that we might be saved.
Throughout Christ’s ministry, while here on earth, He urged us, by word and by example to be forgiving. He forgave the Samaritan woman of her grievous sin which in semitic law merits death. He told us to turn the other cheek when someone slaps us, He told us not to throw back the stone but instead broad. And He told us to do good to those who wish us harm.
Furthermore, He said that if you have an offering to the Lord but harbors a grudge against your brother, leave your offering at the altar and make peace first with your brother. And let not the sun set upon your anger.
When Jesus taught us to pray, he emphasized forgiveness. “And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
Yes, forgiveness and pardon is the central theme of Christ’s ministry.
When Jesus was asked how many times we should forgive He said “seventy” times seven.” It does not mean we shouldn’t forgive at the 491th times although this is an awful lot of numbers but it means that the number of times we shall forgive should be unlimited. Because the number 7 in Jewish cabala represents infinity. The message of forgiveness that Jesus preached baffled the Jews whose Jehovah as an exacting God, who will wipe out even an entire generation for their sins of disobedience.
But just what is forgiveness?
Stripped of all verbiage, forgiveness is the conscious condonation of any wrong done. It is nor just failing to take revenge or retribution but wiping out the wrong done.
In natural law there is no concept of forgiveness or pardon. Natural law insists that the balance of justice must be maintained at all times and if any wrong is committed the balance must be restored by exacting punishment for the wrongdoer.
“An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.”
This the Mosaic law in the Old Testament and the Roman Law of the “lex taliones.”
But Jesus wants us to rise above this natural law and partake of divine law that conceives of forgiveness and pardon. For although we are governed by natural law, yet we are called “sons of God” and have the spark of divinity within us.
But our human nature makes it hard for us to forgive. When President Arroyo pardoned one too many of those who have committed brutal crimes our sense of justice rebels and thinks that Arroyo is abusing her powers, no matter how legitimate it may be.
Yes, sometimes we say that we have forgiven but deep inside the rancour still hurts. We find it hard to wipe out the memory of the wrong done.
In fact in the history of the world, among the causes of violence and strife is the desire to take revenge for the wrong done. This is the culture of vendetta in the western world which is even taken farther in the oriental world in exacting revenge over and above the wrong done. “Way sukod sa baws” is not only a Filipino cultural aspect but is prevalent in the oriental culture.
Thus, violence begets violence and the cycle is endless.
And so, when Jesus urged us by word and example to practice forgiveness, He was laying out the foundation and path towards peace and tranquility. Because only when men can learn to forgive, will there be no more strife nor even wars.
Interestingly, psychologists have learned that harboring a grudge is not only emotionally unhealthy but physically unhealthy as well. It eats us inside and causes anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, depression and even skin disease. Only when you let go and set aside the grudge will you be free from the grip of these which cause you unhappiness.
And why does Jesus wants to be forgiving? Is it only for the physical and emotional rewards that we knew to be?
Above all else, Jesus wants us to be forgiving to be able to partake of the divine plan He has for us.
Remember, and I quote again, no amount of suffering will be acceptable to God if we do not forgive and make peace with our brother.
Let us try to emulate Jesus Christ who pronounced pardon and forgiveness even when He was in the last gasps of His human existence, when He said “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”






