Father Forgive

One hundred years ago, May 31—June 1, 1921, an increasingly large white mob burned the black community of Tulsa, Oklahoma to the ground. It was the wealthiest black community in the United States known as "Black Wall Street." Firebombs were dropped from airplanes and upwards of 300 people were killed. It is said that the dead were thrown into the Arkansas River. Mass graves are only being excavated now. The massacre was not acknowledged in state history records until 1996. 

Over 35 blocks —

600 black owned businesses were destroyed, 

21 churches,

30 grocery stores,

2 movie theatres,

1 hospital,

1 bank,

1256 homes were burned out,

215 others were looted,

the hotels were destroyed.

And when it was over,

6000 people were held under armed guard in a convention hall.

Father, forgive.

This painting is titled — The Arrest of Jesus. The late-Gothic German painter's name is unknown. We would do this again. You know that, don't you? And we'd be shocked and disappointed beyond belief at whose faces we might discover in the ugly crowd.

The Golden Leaf of Forgiveness

Benedictine Monasteries are known as such because they follow the 5th century rule of Saint Benedict. The fourth principle of that community rule is that the monastery must cultivate a spirit of forgiveness among the brothers. Forgiveness is the glue that prevents the community from devolving into divisions and even violence or dissolution. 

Does it matter whether monks live this way? For sure, as monks are supposed to be living examples that it's possible for all of us to live harmoniously and in the Gospel-way of Jesus. At the heart of Jesus' way is forgiveness, probably the hardest requirement of Christian living. That's why I'm calling it the Golden Leaf: in a nasty world, dropping resentments and getting on with loving people is golden. 

Forgiving the offender does't mean, "Hey, no problem, don't worry about it. Let's go on a cruise together." On the contrary, being cheated, slandered, abused, neglected, tricked, manipulated, lied to, ripped off (we get the picture) is a problem. So then what does forgiveness mean? 

Forgiving someone means: "From the bottom of my heart (and I may have to reach down as deep as that to find it) I simply wish you well. I wish you all good. I wish you health, peace, change of heart, growth in goodness, salvation, success..." To wish this for anyone is loving.

And if I can't do this, but at least want to be able to wish someone well, I have made a start. We grow, with God's help. It's important as well to remember, that I'm as vulnerable and as capable of error and folly as the next guy. Indeed, some of us have a keen awareness of our own errors over the years and having been the recipient of someone else's forgiveness. In which case, forgiving someone is just a variation on the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you want to be treated. 

The Golden Leaf: Dropping resentments and extending forgiveness: "I wish you well."

When we feel our lives are not pleasing to God...

MY FRIEND, FATHER JOHN, shared an image with me which needs to be passed on - when we feel that our lives, for all their turmoil, sidetracking, ups and downs and hard challenges are not pleasing to God.

Two sea captains have the job of ferrying people across a great body of water. The first captain sails his ship on a bright sunny day, the sea calm and lovely, the air warm and pleasant. The second captain maneuvers his ship through a tremendous storm of high winds and frightening waves - a seasick-making crossing. But for all the difficulty, the ship and passengers are safely delivered.

Which passengers will be happier and more grateful? The second of course. Can we imagine God, all the more pleased for our having navigated our own life-crossing with the stresses, ups and downs and even (perhaps) sickening aspects of our lives?

Sometimes I'm awakened at night with thoughts of the mistakes of my youth. I must remember this image then: God, appreciative for the rough crossing.