To Err is Human … To Forgive Devine

I read an article this morning online.  This is a portion of that article:

One of the sons of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has posted a statement on his Twitter account saying his family forgives the people who killed his father.  
 
“In this blessed night of the blessed month (of Ramadan) we remember God’s saying: If a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah,” Saleh Khashoggi wrote. “Therefore, we the sons of the Martyr Jamal Khashoggi announce that we pardon those who killed our father, seeking reward God almighty.”
 
Death sentences in Saudi Arabia can be commuted, if the family pardons the killer.  It was not immediately clear if that would happen in this case.  (VOA News, 2020)

My topic for today is FORGIVENESS.  Admittedly, this is not a skill I have cultivated successfully over the years.  I hold grudges – FOREVER.  This article, however, made me consider my behavior.  I have never had a family member attacked much less murdered.  I’m confident I have pissed people off and they me.  But there has been no capital infraction against anyone close to me in my lifetime.  Yet I am unable to forgive.  What drove me to this is the suspicion that what was done that offended me was done with intent.  These things were not done blindly, without knowing what the outcome would be for me. 

Khashoggi was lured into the embassy for a “meeting” and never emerged.  He was deliberately and callously murdered behind the walls of the embassy.  I sit here and try to imagine what it must have taken for his sons to pardon their fathers’ killers in remembrance of Ramadan.

To me, this is the ultimate display of selflessness and Godliness.  Yet, these men are members of the very religion we vilify as terrorists and killers.  If this teaches us anything, it is that we must observe (not judge) the behavior of individuals and not categorize everyone by a box they tick, be it religion, profession, race, ethnic background or any other group affiliation. 

In honor of Jamal Khashoggi and the sons he raised so well, I am going to forgive.  I offer this as a suggestion to you as well.  Forgive in your heart and release that element of anger, hatred, or ill wishes towards whomever you have been harboring bad feelings against.  I don’t know that they didn’t mean to hurt you.  I just know that the minute you do – they won’t own you!

R-O-A-R!!!

References:  VOA News, May 22, 2020 retrieved from the world wide web on May 25, 2020 from https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/jamal-khashoggis-son-says-family-forgives-fathers-killers