A masterclass in forgiveness from Mother Emmanuel
As a work in progress, I struggle with forgiveness. Of course when the student is ready the right teacher appears. This week one young man did what could be termed as the unforgivable, unspeakable act of killing 9 people in a church in South Carolina, Mother Emmanuel. Yet, at the first hearing, survivors and family members of the loved ones lost gave this young man a huge gift, love and forgiveness. At the same time we could hear the words of the loved ones, we could see him. His face was stoic, but I noted that his respiratory rate increased and in that moment-between the in breath and the out breath love slipped in.
What do I have in common with this young man? I also have met love with anger, indifference and the weapon of my own negative thoughts. I have let my mind and heart be led by ideas about the state of universe that did not serve me and most likely added to the suffering within me and those around me.
And just like this young man I am worthy of receiving great love, being forgiven for the unspeakable, and can give the gift of forgiveness.
Accepting the gifts in this moment,