Forgiveness, Christian-style!

   Christian forgiveness can be described as the human reflection of God's forgiveness. The Book of Sirach, also known as The Church Book (not found in the Hebrew Bible nor in the Protestant canon) deals with a variety of subjects, among them, a warning against hateful things such as anger and wrath which are not good for anyone's spiritual health. If one does not forgive and harbors a vengeful spirit; he or she invites a similar reaction from Sirach's God (Yahweh). To nurture a spirit of hostility towards another, the author says, is to find Yahweh equally unforgiving. On the other hand, virtue too has its ripple effect. An attitude of goodness finds its echo in God's benevolence. And so, if forgiveness towards one's neighbor marks a person's character; then, that same God will show the same when he or she seeks pardon. Forgiving and a merciful spirit are the surest way to attain equal treatment from Yahweh. 
   When one of Jesus' disciples, Peter raised the question of forgiveness: "If my brother wrongs me; how many times should I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus wisely responds there should be no limit: "Seventy times seven!" In his lifetime, Jesus gives a remarkable insight into God's mercy through his parables on the lost coin, the lost sheep and the prodigal son. Pardon and forgiveness go beyond ourselves. In fact, they can be the first steps toward a restoration of Christian unity and even further afield to inter-religious dialogue, if we give forgiveness a chance!