Forgiveness in Community

Reopening the blog. I heard someone wise speak today about forgiveness. Basically, she owned up to how not forgiving she can be, to a room full of people. And how she wants to change that, with them- together. The whole point of it was:

God forgives, I forgive.

Communities call God many things, even non-religious folks. Time and Love is part of whatever this mystery is. If that reads weird to you, try Time forgives, I forgive. Or Love forgives, I forgive.

Today, the way I see it, (w)holiness is present in our plain, ordinary lives. In those brought to us, whether we dislike them, get along with them or not, as well as those we choose to spend time and share our lives with. (what little we have control over!)

Needing Forgiveness. What a complicated feeling, related to guilt- but it’s not-nor is it shame either. To find where I need forgiveness, I must be honest with myself.

Many years ago I was sitting across someone I love very much. We were talking about hard things at a Waffle House headed to New Orleans from New York City. He called me right out. 

“Just because you know the right answer doesn’t make it right (damnit!)”

I needed forgiveness for that, (finally!) wishing I could redo my self-righteous bullshit. Recently, I sent him a screenshot of This Here Flesh by Cole Arthur Riley pg 186-187.

To be of service in any community, one must first allow changes within and about you to be acknowledged, addressed, and carried. Carried on, or perhaps handed over, or carried out of the story. Forgiven. This is what I think Cole Arthur Riley meant when she said that the most liberating holiness is to be as honest as possible about what you see and who you are today.

Unfolding in time with you,

M

My spiritual teacher on forgiveness at the veterinary clinic in Massapequa, NY some years ago.

This Here Flesh by Cole Arthur Riley