Why Forgive?

In the wake of the tragic shooting in Aurora, Colorado so much emotion comes out. Disgust, fear, anger, and sadness permeate us as we try to make sense of something senseless. Think of heading to the theater to watch a much anticipated film to only end up witnessing up front or becoming victim of a bloody, violent, murderess rampage? Think of the horror, shock and pain that they went through. Now consider how our country reacts. There's been a spike in requests for gun carry permits in an attempt to protect oneself. There are talking heads spouting all sorts of divisive vitriol from both sides of the political spectrum.
Add to this, there's rioting going on in Anaheim because a police officer shot and killed an unarmed youth; Happy Valley is still digesting the penalties and public scorn from the Sandusky trial; and George Zimmerman is awaiting trial for the shooting of Trayvon Martin with all of the racial tension that has simmered through that incident. How do we as a society find healing in the wake of all that has been going on?
My suggestion is to look at two men as imperfect examples. The first is Pierce O'Farrill. He is one of the victims of the shooting in Aurora. He has chosen the Christ-like attitude to forgive. I have to admit in my walk I would seriously struggle to be able to do this. It takes a supernatural healing and heart change to be able to forgive those who have wronged you. We have tender spots in our hearts that will cry out in either fear or anger. Yet, a young man like this can step up and decide to forgive and to find compassion and desire to understand why someone would commit such a heinous act.
The second is Pope John Paul II. In 1980 Mehmet Ali Ağca shot the Pope four times. The reaction from around the world was (as in the Aurora shooting) disgust, fear, and anger. In 1983, the Pope visited Agca in prison. In one of the most talked about acts of his papacy, he forgave his assasin. Time Magazine's cover story for that week had a picture of the visit with the quesion: "Why Forgive?"

I believe that this may have been the Pope's most important act during his life. He fully demonstrated the Christ-like grace of forgiveness. After his death it is said that Agca was deeply saddened by the event, that he considered the Pope his friend and expressed his deep love for him. That is amazing healing!
Forgiveness is such a difficult thing but a healing one. I am very much walking the slow path to being able to forgive others. It is a process of release. Not only for the wrong doer, but a release of the chains of the wronged. When that step begins, we find our burdens lifted. We will continue on our journey to healing.
One of my favorite Christian musical artists is Steve Taylor. Once dubbed the Court Jester Of The Kingdom, he is known for his cynical, and sarcastic views of life in in the Christian world. He has lambasted TV Evangelists (I Manipulate), conformity (I Want To Be A Clone) and political influence of conservativism (It's A Personal Thing). Amazingly, he was so touched by the Pope's actions that he wrote this beautiful and positive song in response to Time's question, "Why Forgive". He just said "To Forgive".

I saw a man
He was holding the hand
That had fired a gun at his heart
Oh, will we live to forgive?

I saw the eyes
And the look of surprise
As he left an indelible mark
Oh, will we live to forgive?


Come, find release
Go, make your peace

Follow his lead
Let the madness recede
When we shatter the cycle of pain
Oh, we will live to forgive

Come, find release
Go, make your peace

I saw a man
With a hole in His hand
Who could offer the miracle cure
Oh, He said live
I forgive
Oh, He said live
To forgive
Oh, He said live
To forgive