Life Out There (Forgiveness)
by Nadia Lawand (May ’02)
“It is far better to forgive and forget than to resent and remember.” - Anonymous
Throughout the past Lenten season I have been thinking a lot about forgiveness. I can’t help but question friendship, forgiveness, and the possibility of losing a friend. Many of you may be wondering why I’m talking about forgiveness now, weeks after Forgiveness Sunday, but I think it is extremely appropriate.
In my Lenten journey, it was very difficult for me to concentrate and devote myself to church when I had my final papers and exams at the same time. I’m sure this was the case for many university and college students like me. For example, last Friday night I was sitting in my Spanish final exam instead of being at the Madayeh service. Even though there isn’t much I could do about the scheduling of my exams, I can’t help but think about the difficulty that so many of us have. So what more could I do during the Lenten season, when I had to study and go to school?
Well, I realize that even though we are swamped with studies and exams, it doesn’t mean we cannot try our best to devote ourselves, be examples of Christ, and keep our fast. If we do our best to do all of these things, God will forgive us if we have to take an exam. So this is where my thoughts on forgiveness come up. As Holy Week approaches, I can’t help but want to do more and be more faithful, especially considering I’m swamped with work for school. What I realized is that through my actions and thoughts I can be more faithful during this Lenten season. So where does this leave me? Looking at parts of my life that need cleaning up or purifying. Looking at the way I act, communicate, represent myself, and in what I believe.
For the past year or so, I have been on very bad terms with someone who used to be a very close friend. Now, it would be unfair for me to recount my story and say anything in favor of myself or the situation itself — so I won’t. In any case, something went off-track and there was a misunderstanding that was blown out of proportion, which has now led to a lost friendship. During this Great Lent, I can’t help but think about friendship and forgiveness and realize how important it is to forgive and forget. Life is precious and God asks us to love each other, even our enemies. In this case, it was a close friend. In my attempt to be a true Christian, I realize whether I am right or wrong, I must do my best to forgive and forget and try to show my love to this friend.
It is important that we forgive our friends and enemies, not only on Forgiveness Sunday, but all year round, because we never know what could happen to us. Even in the midst of exams, we must stay faithful and vigilant. Just as God asks us to love one another, we must forgive one another, for forgiveness is a true form of love.
