Forgiving the unforgivable

Love - part 1

https://www.yesmagazine.org/health-happiness/2013/12/28/the-ancient-greeks-6-words-for-love-and-why-knowing-them-can-change-your-life/

I have been talking about philosophy for a few days.  Two more days and we will go on to other things.

I have wanted to talk about love and hate as I discussed my philosophy.  I started with the concept that I wanted to use the three Greek words for love (agape, philia, and eros) - when I found the Greeks had SIX words for love!!  That messed up with my plans!!  (And, took me just slightly out of my comfort zone!!)

But let’s focus on one of the words - But, putting that aside, let’s use just one of those words - Agape - the love of everybody.  Maybe even to a “supernatural” love for everybody!!

My philosophy has been changing in the last few years.  As I have retired and thought more and reflected more on my Judeo/Christian values.  

God is infinite - and I have to assume and believe that God is good (whoever he/she is).  God is LOVE - that is Agape love - love for everyone.  From Genesis 1:27 (the creation story) - God created man (and woman) in his image.  That can be a bit hard to believe - that an infinite God has an image - and by looking at another human being, I can see God.  If you will take an extension of that, God is in each and every human being - EVERYONE!!  Maybe you can’t quite see God in the person when he (or she) has a knife to your throat or is rapping your daughter/granddaughter.  

I’ve been impressed by the people where a villain has hurt them deeply (maybe murder) and they can say “We forgive him”.  How can you forgive - and LOVE - somebody who has done some dastardly deed?  That is supernatural.  

In my mind, I think of the horrific case of Petit family in Cheshire Connecticut in 2007.  The case led the news for months.  The mother (Jennifer Hawke-Petit) and two daughters were raped and killed and the husband, Dr. William Petit was hurt in the home invasion by two men - but escaped. After raping the women, the two perpetrators poured gas on the bodies and started a fire.  

Dr. Petit did not forgive them (at least at that time - in public).  I assume that he still thinks of the two men who killed his wife and daughters every day.  I can only imagine the torture he still feels inside twelve years later.  For a person to carry that image in their mind for twelve years must be a real burden.  Is he justified in carrying that burden?  In my humble opinion, the only way he can ever find peace is by finding a way to forgive the two men.

In human terms, no one can really forgive such an act, but with God’s help (again, however, you perceive God) it is possible to forgive.  Maybe not possible to forgive and forget - but with a supernatural power to forgive!!  

On the flip side, how can the two men ever forgive themselves?  Every day, they sit in a jail cell, faced with life in prison, and have to question themselves about their actions.  They can see the sky, see the birds, and see the prison walls that they will never leave.  

I am willing to say the killers had (and probably still have) a mental illness that said they were ‘entitled’ to rape and kill three people.  All the basic philosophies I know of say “Thou shall not kill”.  But, I can’t judge them - judgment belongs to God.  Maybe in their cells, the men have come to realize their mistakes, maybe they have found supernational forgiveness.  Maybe, they can mentally find freedom.  

I am reading a novel “Alex Cross’s Trial” by James Patterson.  Set about 100 years ago in Mississippi, it deals with lynching and killing of black people - mostly because of their skin color.  We (people of the twenty-first century) would like to think we have come to terms with race issues - that ALL men are created equal - as found in our Declaration of Independence.  But, there seems to still be similar issues.  

I heard a person talk about the Hispanics in her neighborhood as less than human.  Even I have experienced some negativity as a transgender woman.  At this season, I reflect on the song “I heard the bells on Christmas Day”

And in despair I bowed my head

There is no peace on earth I said

For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men

But, that song ends with this verse:

Then rang the bells more loud and deep

God is not dead, nor does he sleep

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peace on earth, good will to men.

Maybe someday, agape love can truly conquer - but maybe not on our planet, but in some vague but wonderful place called heaven.

May you find love (agape love) in your heart this Christmas/Holiday season; may you find supernatural ways to forgive those who have hurt you; may you find a way to find that “peace that passes human understanding”.

Hugs!!

Karen