Forgiveness

[Byron Jack Gaist]

Dear all,

Is the enjoinder to forgive those who have hurt or harmed us also a way of saying "accept the Will of God"?

In Christ
Byron

[Fr Raphael Vereshack]

Yes- ultimately forgiveness is based on faith.

In Christ- Fr Raphael

[Fr Seraphim (Black)]

Definitely, for nothing happens to us without God's Providence.

Furthermore the humility to forgive is to become more Christ-like. For our Saviour said to forgive 77 times 7, (and since the number seven, is not only the days mentioned in Genesis, it is understood by the Fathers to be symbolic of eternity.) Thus we must eternally forgive.

For St. Silouan, the sole criterion of Christ-like love, is love for our enemies, including the injunction 'love thy neighbour as thyself.' And 'how can we say we love God whom we have not seen...' and despise our neighbour whom we see.

Monastically, insults etc., are an avenue for passage into the deep mystery of humility and forgiveness. In hindsight alone, it often becomes apparent, that a harm done, was truly Providential.

[Byron Jack Gaist]

Dear Frs Raphael and Seraphim,

Many thanks for your responses. I had suspected as much, and it doesn't make what is asked of us any easier, but it's all the more true for it!

Glory to God! His judgments are wise and good, even if this life is a scary and difficult vale of tears at times.

In Christ
Byron