"For both parties, forgiveness means the freedom again to be at peace inside their own skins and to be glad in each other's presence."(F. Buechner "Listening to Your Life." p. 305)
Last night at the Youth Retreat for the Diocese, we were invited to walk the labyrinth. There was meditative music playing, candle light bordering the labyrinth and we were invited to walk and when we reached the center to right down on a piece of paper something we needed to forgive or something we needed to be forgiven for.
I was amazed by the level of emotion in the room. I have no idea what anyone but myself wrote on their papers. At the end of that exercise we went back to the dormitory where a fire was lit and I, in my role as chaplain, invited folks to bring their paper up to the fireplace and saying "for what is on this paper and what still remains in my heart I offer up to you, Lord God, and then throw the paper onto the fire.
When I saw that forgiveness was the topic from Buechner, I tried to remember if there were still people I needed to forgive. I honestly can think of only one person in my life who hurt me so deeply that the memory of it still has a tinge of pain. I will say that it no longer dominates my thoughts and that may be because subconsciously I forgave that person years ago.
I certainly have never told that person this news and it may not even be something they really need to know. The likelihood that they feel stuck knowing that I was hurt by them is remote. I seriously doubt our paths will ever cross again, though it is possible.
But if those stars should in some way should align, I hope I will have the courage to tell that person, I forgive you.
Blessings,
Ed
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