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Seventy Times Seven
[to my friend, RightGreatRite, whose words made this brief essay possible]
Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."
---Matthew 18:21-22
Today, through random browsing, I found an Orthodox prayer for one's enemies, which asks a blessing upon those that the pray-er deems to be enemies, and also asks God to remove any bitterness from the pray-er's heart.
This dovetails into some advice given me by a person whose words are, to me, as authorative as any mentor's could possibly be; and I do not believe those words, and then the random discovery of the Orthodox prayer for enemies, is a mere coincidence.
I take this combination as a sign and directive to forgive the person who has given me offense (making personal remarks, and accusing me of failing in my Faith practice---although the accuser is not, nor claims to be, a Christian either Orthodox or one of the denominations that have fractured Western Christendom).
I ask his forgiveness, for another failure on my part to maintain the uneasy peace between us. The intervention of both the mentoring advice and a prayer of the Orthodox Church is a call to greater vigilance over my responses and reactions. The best way to deal with my perceived enemy is not to give that person any perception at all.
Especially in this difficult time of my life, and what I believe is the last section of my course, I ask your prayers to join to my prayer that I may be steadfast in my resolve not to tresspast against the peace by granting my enemy any perception at all.
Forgiveness...
Forgiveness is "curious", indeed... I join you wholeheartedly in your prayers.
While I rarely feel that I deserve any forgiveness from my own pleas of such, I know from my own experience, that offering forgiveness seems much more powerful than receiving it... I pray always to be forgiven my trespasses. I more heavily pray that I am given the patience to forgive. My own pain born from the actions of others was more easily addressed by forgiving the "trespasser". Yet, I disclaim... my words seem folly in the wisdom that swirls around me in this realm.
The most difficult, yet the
The most difficult, yet the most enlightened, guidance I can think of. But the most difficult path is also the most joyous when all is said and done. Few take the steep high road that leads straight into the realm of true peace and true freedom, but it's well worth the effort to, at least for a moment, step away from one's pride.
In the end, we can be right or we can be blessed.
You came to a very practical conclusion and stated the fact with clarity and wisdom when you wrote:
"The best way to deal with my perceived enemy is not to give that person any perception at all."
That was both clever and Christlike. No matter what others consider to be your offense, a grand gesture of Divine kindness puts you in the company of saints. This is supported by every ancient holy book and every love-based faith.
Joining you in prayer and friendship in the noblest of goals.
Peace and every blessing to you.
Thank you. You have
Thank you. You have been instrumental in helping me to this understanding. My reading of Glistening In The Dark led me to some prayers online at an Orthodox website, which led to this prose. (So, I am happy and grateful to state, your poem stands like a great tower behind it.) In less than twenty-four hours, Glistening has ministered to me in several ways. It helped me to prepare for today's cardiological appointment at which I was expecting bad news, but God has blessed me with good results: my blood thinness is out of the danger zone and thickness no longer threatens the function of my artificial valve (which, after fifteen years, continues to tick away efficiently). Glistening has helped with this as well.
Starward
I'm thrilled to know that I
I'm thrilled to know that I helped in any way, and wildly pleased by the good news. Seems your faith has been moving a few mountains lately. I can't tell you what an encouragement you are to me: your example of strength (You have more than you realize!) and your support for my work. You're an inspiration. God bless.