Tuesday, February 5, 2013

1 John 3:14


We know that we have passed out of death unto life, because we love the brethren (1 Jn. 3:14).


In order to pass from death to life, it is fundamental to forgive. It is very difficult to forgive, in fact, to be able to forgive a great offence is impossible without asking the help of God.

King David was a good man. Before Saul, his enemy, he saw beyond the law and did not avenge himself.

He deeply lived the "golden rule" of the ethic of all religions inspired by God, “Do onto others as you would have them do onto you”.

Many of us are good, aware of the fragility of human nature: it comes natural to be merciful, compassionate, forgiving in certain circumstances of life.

But Jesus wants our goodness to be the same as that of God; He asks us the maximum, the impossible for our fragile human condition: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you ..." .

The truth is in the absurdity of Calvary when, at the height of the greatest injustice, resounds a dying voice: "Forgive them, for they know not what they do."

The wars of all kinds, the walls, the divisions, the courts, the order of the laws are institutions of a world that is believed true and correct, and instead is a collection of absurdities.

Give me Lord the warm tears of forgiveness, peace and mercy, the richness of giving, the measure of God in every action and so I will live Your very Own Life.

The world continues to dream, while You will tell us "blessed" freeing us from "Woe to you".

- - - - - - -

An Experience of Life:

For a seemingly trivial reason there was born a huge misunderstanding with Ahmed, an Egyptian friend who suffered a delicate operation and who I love as a brother.

I was unusually very angry.

Since I had to leave for a meeting, we met to make peace and everything seemed resolved.

Having returned after about a week, for some reason I could not get in touch with him. Finally one night I went to his house (it was the third time) and I ran across him on a nearby street.

"I can not forgive you – he immediately said to me - I can do this with my enemies, because I am not really interested in them, but I am not able to forgive the ones closest to me.

I told him: "I ask you again for your pardon and forgiveness. It is true, there was a misunderstanding between us. I am not surprised that you can not forgive me. It is normal, no man can do this. Only God, Allah, can help us. It is His gift that He gives us if we ask Him. If you agree, let us do it together, praying in silence."

The road was lit and quite popular because of its proximity to the station. Silently we focused our concentration for a good amount of time and we prayed to God the Father (which Ahmed calls Allah).

When we finished he looked at me and said: "I have forgiven you; it is the first time that I did this immediately".

"Of course - I replied - this time it was possible because we asked God and He gives this to His children."

While walking together, I also said: "Do you see, we all need to be forgiven. In the Gospel it is written how to do it: If you forgive little you are forgiven little, if you forgive much you are forgiven much, if you forgive all you are forgiven all. This is written in the Gospel and applies to all men. Surely there are things just as beautiful in the Koran: If you can, look for them and show them to me".

We were full of joy.

"Listen Ahmed - I asked - what do you think if we thank Allah."

We again stopped and quietly, intently, we thanked Him.


Francis C., from "The New City"