FORGIVENESS
Forgiveness is a common theme within the world’s religious traditions.
At the end of each year Judaism invites personal introspection upon the ways in which we have fallen short of our ideals and might need to atone, to ask for forgiveness, or to grant it.
In Christian tradition the human need for forgiveness is tended through faith in the redeeming sacrifice of Jesus; through the sacraments of Baptism and Communion and, in the Catholic tradition, through the sacrament of Confession (often referred to as “Penance and Reconciliation”).
Islam distinguishes between forgiveness granted by people and that granted by Allah, and points to one circumstance in which forgiveness cannot be granted (idol worship).
Buddhism lifts up the practice of forgiveness as a means to release oneself from harmful attachment to anger and resentfulness, and to open one’s heart to compassion. (Forgiveness is recognized as critical to one’s mental well-being.)
Hinduism recognizes forgiveness as a great virtue, capable of clearing the path through Karma to personal spiritual advancement and even divinity.
So much religious emphasis has been and is still placed upon the spiritual need for and practice of forgiveness. But Unitarian Universalists don’t often talk about that element of their lives! Often, there is a desire to focus on what’s going great, as opposed to where we missed the mark. Or, we just want to roll up our sleeves and “set things” right.
But how can we best do that? What’s our motivation? What ills are we truly responsible for? How can we atone meaningfully? How can we open our hearts more fully to others? What do our religious values, our mission and the covenant we share tell us about how to be in right relationship with one another?
Forgiveness is a common theme within the world’s religious traditions.
At the end of each year Judaism invites personal introspection upon the ways in which we have fallen short of our ideals and might need to atone, to ask for forgiveness, or to grant it.
In Christian tradition the human need for forgiveness is tended through faith in the redeeming sacrifice of Jesus; through the sacraments of Baptism and Communion and, in the Catholic tradition, through the sacrament of Confession (often referred to as “Penance and Reconciliation”).
Islam distinguishes between forgiveness granted by people and that granted by Allah, and points to one circumstance in which forgiveness cannot be granted (idol worship).
Buddhism lifts up the practice of forgiveness as a means to release oneself from harmful attachment to anger and resentfulness, and to open one’s heart to compassion. (Forgiveness is recognized as critical to one’s mental well-being.)
Hinduism recognizes forgiveness as a great virtue, capable of clearing the path through Karma to personal spiritual advancement and even divinity.
So much religious emphasis has been and is still placed upon the spiritual need for and practice of forgiveness. But Unitarian Universalists don’t often talk about that element of their lives! Often, there is a desire to focus on what’s going great, as opposed to where we missed the mark. Or, we just want to roll up our sleeves and “set things” right.
But how can we best do that? What’s our motivation? What ills are we truly responsible for? How can we atone meaningfully? How can we open our hearts more fully to others? What do our religious values, our mission and the covenant we share tell us about how to be in right relationship with one another?