Tuesday, Third Week of Lent

Forgiveness Is The Way To Freedom

In the great story "Les Miserables" one character, Jean Valjean is unjustly punished for a crime, serves his time, is released on parole and then pursued by an inspector, Javert, for years.  Javert is obsessed with his quest to find and convict Valjean for any breach of the Law.  Valjean lives out his life trying to do what is "right".  The two men's paths cross regularly.  Eventually Jean Valjean has an opportunity to kill his tormenting pursuer.

But instead, Valjean grants Javert mercy and sends him on his way unharmed--or so it seems.

This act of forgiveness torments Javert.  The raw hatred that had previously been directed by the inspector toward Valjean boomerangs and hits Javert in the heart and soul.  Javert cannot live with Valjean's forgiveness, and commits suicide.

I agree with Nouwen that forgiveness is the way to freedom.  But that freedom is not without a radical shift of power.  When we carry a grudge against somebody we are energized by our rancor.  With forgiveness the "reason" behind what we do when we are in the presence of that person (or a memory of an offender) is no longer what drives our thoughts and actions.  We are free!   And the offender may suddenly feel burdened by devastating shame or humiliation.

We need to allow relationships to be transformed.  In community we can't just say "I forgive you" and  then walk off into the sunset.  This is especially true with hurts or offenses that have lingered in a community for years or generations.

We are called to stay together in the presence of One who commands us to love and forgive.  In God's presence, freed through the power of forgiveness, we can begin to learn something new about one another.

Prayer:  Help me to be honest about the grudges I hold.  Give me the power to say "I forgive".