Peace Part IV: Peace and Forgiveness

Forgiveness is instrumental in a life of peace, and yet it is often difficult to talk about, hard to define, and can even be weaponised against suffering people. In this brief reflection we examine 4 themes of forgiveness that emerge from the story of Jesus. Firstly, forgiveness is about letting go of a desire for retaliation, revenge and harm. Second, forgiveness may require an acknowledgement of wrong and a commitment to change. Third, forgiveness can lead toward reconciliation (but that this is not always possible or healthy), and lastly, that power dynamics must be considered when we think about forgiveness. Ultimately, perhaps forgiveness is about how we grapple with the question: what do I want my life to circle around?