Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt
and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance;
Who does not persist in anger forever,
but delights rather in clemency?
Americans like to increase and celebrate their power. We drool over powerful machines, weapons, and technology. We enjoy an enormous economy with its power over other nations; when we catch a cold the world goes to bed. We delight in our ability to offer aid and assistance to the poor of the world; and hardly notice the sacrifice! Power is something wonderful.
But we're missing out on one of the most astonishing powers available to us; we have yet to learn to forgive. Can the vroom of a Harley-Davidson or the ferocity of an AR-15 compare to the rush of letting go of a resentment? The surge of freedom is astonishing!
I can let that memory with its feelings go! It doesn't need to possess me; and I have no need to possess it! What's done is done; I'm moving on. If justice demands that anything more be done about that unfortunate incident, life or karma or kismet or the Just One will take care of it. I wash my hands of it. Why did I hang on to it for so long?
Jokers on Easter like to suppose that Jesus had a score to settle with his disciples as he rose from the dead. Perhaps it's something to think about, and the Lord's conversation with Peter (John 21) indicates that Peter needed His particular attention. But his greeting on that Easter Sunday evening -- "Shalom" -- proves his gladness and his freedom. Perhaps their abandoning him was atoned by their staying together in the Upper Room. And his collecting the two who set out for Emmaus proves that he would go the extra mile -- the extra seven miles at no cost to himself! -- to show his eager generosity.
When we let bygones be bygones, forgive others, demonstrate our affection, and offer humble service to them we act like God himself. We prove we are children of Our Heavenly Father who is Perfect.
