IMPORTANCE OF FORGIVENESS

Mariam was inclined to be a champion grudge holder. She could forgive, but found it hard to forget another's perceived slight.
The Rabbi gently explained to her a helpful rule, "Remember those who have been good to you, and sift the others away through the fingers of kindness."

Forgiveness means being willing to forgive others, as they sometimes have to forgive us.
Not every slight or hurt we deliver was intentionally meant.
By letting bygones be bygones, relationships can flourish and not eternally founder.
We need to rejoice in the memories given us by those who have left us feeling nurtured and cherished, and to sift away the bad memories given to us by those who did not - through the fingers of kindness, the process of forgiveness.

Jesus has taught us that we are to forgive, over and over again.
This means that justice will not always be served to us by others, yet we must forgive them - and pray for them.
It is only by forgiving - as fully as our Master forgave even those who had crucified Him as He was dying on the cross - that we can fulfil the mandate placed upon us as disciples of the Most High.

Forgive Seventy Times Seven

With thanks to Youtube

Matthew 18:21-22

21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.