The reward of true repentance 
(The Far East - The Columban Mission Magazine)
April 2006
Several leaders have written in the
past to tell me how important my columns on forgiveness were to them.
Some who were taught as children that the Christian thing was to forgive
and forget felt that they were be
ing
persuaded to submit to acts of abuse and to cover up crimes in the name
of forgiveness.
Others said that they were told that this was the will of God - to suffer, remain silent and forgive as Jesus did.
I was happy when they told me how they found peace when they realised through the column, that Jesus never meant forgiveness to be cover up of crime and sin but that He taught the sinner must be challenged to repent and believe the gospel.
The Gospel writing have many examples of the power of forgiveness. The prodigal son in the Gospel story admits his sins, begs forgiveness and is embraced by his forgiving father. The elements of forgiveness are clear: admission of guilt, a true commitment to change and acceptance of responsibility and penance.
For some people forgiveness is a magic cure for all disharmony and dispute; "Forgive and forget," they say. But is it really that easy? I don't think so, there is more to it than that. Take the case of Rosaline, a young 12-year-old girl who was a domestic servant in the home of her auntie and uncle near Manila. She was weak vulnerable and her auntie thought that children are something to be owned and used by adults.
Her uncle thought the same and lusted after Rosalie's frail body. He crept into her bedroom at night overpowering and raping her. "If you tell anyone I will kill you and feed you to the dogs," he threatened. Rosalie was terrified and kept the ordeal to herself. She was abused several more times and then somehow she found the courage to tell her friend Jennifer - a neighbour who befriended her, gave her shelter and reported it to the police.
Rosaline's auntie called her a liar and defended her husband. He was arrested and brought to trial. Her auntie tried to shame and intimidate Rosaline before the trial, "Forgive him," she said, "What good will it do to destroy his life and family. It's the Christian thing to do. Forgive your enemies, turn the other cheek or God will not forgive you. Remember the Our Father, 'Forgive us our sin as we forgive those who trespass against us,'" she quoted, "If you don't, we will never forgive you," she said. Jennifer was a woman of character and moral principle. She knew a crime had been committed. Outraged she brought Rosaline to the PREDA Children's Home for protection, proper legal assistance and therapy.
After weeks behind bars and the hardship of a Philippine prison, Rosaline's uncle came to his senses much like the prodigal son. The harsh conditions sapped his energy to maintain a pretence of innicence.
His conscience awakened in the night of deprivation and to the amazement of all he pleaded guilty during his arraignment.
He knew he would have to endure a long sentence but preferred to do it with a clean conscience ad the forgiveness of his victim.
Rosaline was willing to forgive him after his admission and after justice was done. [End]
