LOVE,
St. Paul said,
"Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing. For we know partially and we prophesy partially, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things. At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love. " (1 Corinthians 13: 4-13)
Love is the ultimate expression of one’s being. The core of one’s self being bestowed to another without price or measure. Love is the total giving of one’s self. In ancient times, Love was known in the Latin as caritas (charity)--to give of one’s self to another.
Love is the true surrender of one’s self in another. When a person truly loves, they give of themselves, not expecting in return. True love is an investment in the other. Just to a bank account that one continues saving in, the investment made yields its greatest reward. So similarly too, Love is like a bank account, where the more one loves, the greater one is rewarded with love.
Love is the ultimate expression of one’s self. Love is the being able to let the barriers down and truly be one’s self and express that without pride, prejudice or expectation of reward. Ultimately Love has two sides to it: to give and to receive.
To give love, one must be unselfish and transparent with the other person. To give love, the giver must know TRUE LOVE. To give love the LOVER must give without reward or measure.
To receive love, one must be ope to receiving the wellspring of life. To receive LOVE, the loved one must be willing to reciprocate. To receive love, the LOVED ONE needs to also and not only be transparent, but accept the LOVERS transparency for merely what it is--LOVE.
LOVE is the manifestation of vision into reality, of sacrifice into gift, of journey into pilgrimage with another. Love is adventure of life that has the most meaning. When St. Paul mentions: "So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love," St. Paul knows that LOVE is utimately the resting in and encouter of GOD. Centuries later, St. Augustine had this to say: "You stir man to take pleasure in praising you, because you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you." (Confessions--Opening Paragraph) Love is not only the wellspring, but also the end result. It is the greatest manisfestation of one’s total being. It is true happiness, even in times of sadness; true reward in moments of toil and work; true satisfaction in moments of pain and suffering; true inspiration in the ordinary moments of life.
Love knows all, forgives all, edures all, respects all, ebodies all, inspires all and conquers all. Love generates persistence and perseverance. Love embodies all of what life is. Love is inspiration and aspiration wrapped in one.
In the true words of the movie Wedding Crashers, "True Love is the Soul’s Recognition of its Counterpoint in Another."
LOVE is LOVE
P.S.--"Our greatest inspiration, comes from our perspiration."
Full of Wisdom
Disclaimer: These blogs are all original works are resulting from of inspiration, many years of study, contemplation and personal reflection, prayer, life experiences, and encounters with others (be they personal or professional encounters). Please feel free to use the material as needed, but give credit accordingly. Who knows when or where these works might turn out. Plagiarism is a true crime. Also feel free to let me know what you think and how I am doing. Thanks. Full of Wisdom.
Showing posts with label Bible. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible. Show all posts
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Forgiveness
One of the most difficult and often misguided human attributes is to forgive. Forgiveness asks us to look deep into one’s self and look past hurt, disappointment, and fear. It asks us to to look to the deepest corner of our being and seek compassion toward self or others.
Forgiveness is two-fold. A person must be inclined to forgive one’s self. An individual who’s unable to forgive one’s self throughout life’s journey, will forever be hounded and weighed down upon. The inability to forgive one’s self will hamper the ability to forgive another, for how can one forgive another if they are unwilling or unable to forgive themselves. True forgiveness is born from within, and as such, draws one’s gaze toward the individual self, the individual being. As in love, one must be willing to forgive oneself prior to forgiving another.
The second part of forgiveness needs to be approached with true empathy and understanding. Once an individual has been able to successfully forgive themselves, especially for the wrongs they have committed toward themselves in life’s journey, theny they are able to go outside of themselves and attempt to forgive another or ask for forgiveness from another. Life’s most humbling journey is when one can acknowledge a wrong committed against one’s-self or another and truly forgive the wrongdoer (be they the individual themselves, another, a community of people, society or even God).
Forgiveness leads to healing. Forgiveness leads to understanding. Forgiveness leads toward redemption. Forgiveness leads to faith. Forgiveness leads to LOVE (caritas). True forgivess breaks down all barriers and leaves one naked before the other or self. To ask for forgiveness a person must know what it is like to forgive. To forgive one must know what it is like to be forgiven.
Forgiveness is a way of life. It brings renewal in times of despair. It brings hope in times of crisis. It brings solitude in times of loneliness. It brings solace in times of hurt. Like LOVE, true forgivess does not envy, boast, or hold qualms. True forgiveness brings understanding and awareness. Its the acknowlegement of some sort of wrongdoing and moving on, moving forward.
Some people and scholars would argue that true forgiveness is a fallacy. Others would argue that in order to achieve True Forgiveness one must be willing to forget. I argue that true forgiveness allows us to understand and learn from the worng done to one’s self or another. In order for this to work, forgiveness continually needs to be renewed and rejuvenated. Forgivess draws its true inspiration from love and yet its true goal is love.
If we recall the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32):
11Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, ’Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17"When he came to his senses, he said, ’How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ 20So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21"The son said to him, ’Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.[a]’ 22"But the father said to his servants, ’Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 25"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27’Your brother has come,’ he replied, ’and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, ’Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31" ’My son,’ the father said, ’you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’
In the Prodigal Son, we see that the youngest son, needed to come to forgive himself first. This forgiveness, allows him to come to the awareness that leads him back home. Ultimately the father is able to forgive the son and take him back in. The eldest son’s inability to forgive himself and live with jealosy toward his brother does not allow him to face the reality lying before him and forgive his brother.
How many times to we look down at ourselves and don’t forgive ourselves for our actions and wrong doings to ourselves? How many times do we dwell upon the momemts of life--however insignificant they may seem--that seem to rob us of our true happiness and love? How many times are we unable to forgive those close around and closest to us--many times for being themselves? How many times are we unwilling to swallow our own pride and ask for forgiveness, especially when we know we’re in the wrong?
The inablity to forgive ourselves and others, and ask for forgiveness from ourselves and others robs us of our passions, loves, joys, time. That inability leaves with doubt, fear, regret failure and disappointment. To forgive is Divine. Forgivenesss helps us to transcend from the physical to the metaphysical realm. Forgiveness brings us ever closer to God. It is one of the few human actions that asks us to heal physical, emotional, and psychological hurts. Since its an action that requires both internal and external actions, it forces us to another realm. To forgive is not a natural human act, but one that if born from the right "chispa" can bring much healing in all the areas of our lives.
With this said, I want to genuinely ask for forgiveness from those I’ve transgressed, hurt, disappointed and let down. I am truly sorry and apologize for any wrong doings I may have committed against you. However, insignificant it may have seemed at the time, I know it was cause of much paing or hurt to you and I am sorry. I hope that you may find it in you to forgive me. I pray that you may find comfort, healing, solace and closure for my inadequacies and the hurt that I may have caused, either consciously or unconsciously.
Likewise, I want to forgive those who have caused hurt and pain in someway or another. I have learned much throughout life and have learned that even in moments of hurt and pain, true healing cannot begin to take place until I can forgive those moments in my life. I pray that you may one day find it in you to forgive yourself for your actions and may find comfort in knowing that you have been forgiven.
Sincerely,
Full of Wisdom
P.S.-- "Carpe Diem--SEIZE the DAY." Seize every opportunity you have and make the best of it.
Disclaimer: These blogs are all original works are resulting from of inspiration, many years of study, contemplation and personal reflection, prayer, life experiences, and encounters with others (be they personal or professional encounters). Please feel free to use the material as needed, but give credit accordingly. Who knows when or where these works might turn out. Plagiarism is a true crime. Also feel free to let me know what you think and how I am doing. Thanks. Full of Wisdom.
Forgiveness is two-fold. A person must be inclined to forgive one’s self. An individual who’s unable to forgive one’s self throughout life’s journey, will forever be hounded and weighed down upon. The inability to forgive one’s self will hamper the ability to forgive another, for how can one forgive another if they are unwilling or unable to forgive themselves. True forgiveness is born from within, and as such, draws one’s gaze toward the individual self, the individual being. As in love, one must be willing to forgive oneself prior to forgiving another.
The second part of forgiveness needs to be approached with true empathy and understanding. Once an individual has been able to successfully forgive themselves, especially for the wrongs they have committed toward themselves in life’s journey, theny they are able to go outside of themselves and attempt to forgive another or ask for forgiveness from another. Life’s most humbling journey is when one can acknowledge a wrong committed against one’s-self or another and truly forgive the wrongdoer (be they the individual themselves, another, a community of people, society or even God).
Forgiveness leads to healing. Forgiveness leads to understanding. Forgiveness leads toward redemption. Forgiveness leads to faith. Forgiveness leads to LOVE (caritas). True forgivess breaks down all barriers and leaves one naked before the other or self. To ask for forgiveness a person must know what it is like to forgive. To forgive one must know what it is like to be forgiven.
Forgiveness is a way of life. It brings renewal in times of despair. It brings hope in times of crisis. It brings solitude in times of loneliness. It brings solace in times of hurt. Like LOVE, true forgivess does not envy, boast, or hold qualms. True forgiveness brings understanding and awareness. Its the acknowlegement of some sort of wrongdoing and moving on, moving forward.
Some people and scholars would argue that true forgiveness is a fallacy. Others would argue that in order to achieve True Forgiveness one must be willing to forget. I argue that true forgiveness allows us to understand and learn from the worng done to one’s self or another. In order for this to work, forgiveness continually needs to be renewed and rejuvenated. Forgivess draws its true inspiration from love and yet its true goal is love.
If we recall the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32):
11Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, ’Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17"When he came to his senses, he said, ’How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ 20So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21"The son said to him, ’Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.[a]’ 22"But the father said to his servants, ’Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 25"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27’Your brother has come,’ he replied, ’and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, ’Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31" ’My son,’ the father said, ’you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’
In the Prodigal Son, we see that the youngest son, needed to come to forgive himself first. This forgiveness, allows him to come to the awareness that leads him back home. Ultimately the father is able to forgive the son and take him back in. The eldest son’s inability to forgive himself and live with jealosy toward his brother does not allow him to face the reality lying before him and forgive his brother.
How many times to we look down at ourselves and don’t forgive ourselves for our actions and wrong doings to ourselves? How many times do we dwell upon the momemts of life--however insignificant they may seem--that seem to rob us of our true happiness and love? How many times are we unable to forgive those close around and closest to us--many times for being themselves? How many times are we unwilling to swallow our own pride and ask for forgiveness, especially when we know we’re in the wrong?
The inablity to forgive ourselves and others, and ask for forgiveness from ourselves and others robs us of our passions, loves, joys, time. That inability leaves with doubt, fear, regret failure and disappointment. To forgive is Divine. Forgivenesss helps us to transcend from the physical to the metaphysical realm. Forgiveness brings us ever closer to God. It is one of the few human actions that asks us to heal physical, emotional, and psychological hurts. Since its an action that requires both internal and external actions, it forces us to another realm. To forgive is not a natural human act, but one that if born from the right "chispa" can bring much healing in all the areas of our lives.
With this said, I want to genuinely ask for forgiveness from those I’ve transgressed, hurt, disappointed and let down. I am truly sorry and apologize for any wrong doings I may have committed against you. However, insignificant it may have seemed at the time, I know it was cause of much paing or hurt to you and I am sorry. I hope that you may find it in you to forgive me. I pray that you may find comfort, healing, solace and closure for my inadequacies and the hurt that I may have caused, either consciously or unconsciously.
Likewise, I want to forgive those who have caused hurt and pain in someway or another. I have learned much throughout life and have learned that even in moments of hurt and pain, true healing cannot begin to take place until I can forgive those moments in my life. I pray that you may one day find it in you to forgive yourself for your actions and may find comfort in knowing that you have been forgiven.
Sincerely,
Full of Wisdom
P.S.-- "Carpe Diem--SEIZE the DAY." Seize every opportunity you have and make the best of it.
Disclaimer: These blogs are all original works are resulting from of inspiration, many years of study, contemplation and personal reflection, prayer, life experiences, and encounters with others (be they personal or professional encounters). Please feel free to use the material as needed, but give credit accordingly. Who knows when or where these works might turn out. Plagiarism is a true crime. Also feel free to let me know what you think and how I am doing. Thanks. Full of Wisdom.
Finding GOD in our Midsts
Encountering GOD in our daily lives may be seen a great and awesome challenge. Many people wait to encounter God on his day, Sunday. Others wait for the Holidays (or Holy Days--traditional root of the word holiday). Still others wait to only encounter God in moments of trajedy, peril or despair.
However, learning to encounter God in our midsts is how we come, not only to glorify Him, but also to edify our existence and daily living. Do we wait for those major moments in life to turn to Him? Do we seek Him in his Greatness? When do we search for Him?
1 Kings 19: 11-13 states:
The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
Elijah was being persecuted for following God and being one of his prophets. When in the Mountain, he encountered a great wind, and God was not in the great wind. He encountered an earthquake, but God was not in the earthquake. He enountered a great fire, but God was not in the fire. He encountered God in a gentle whisper. In the least likely of moments, was when Elijah was able to come to encounter God. Like Elijah, we too must work and toil to encounter God in the least likely of moments--the ordinary moments of life.
It is in those ordinary moments of life that we are more likely to encounter God. It is in the encounter of those we meet (from those we meet for the first time, to those we meet on a daily basis) that we come to meet God. From the one that transgress against us, to those who love us, God is walking in our midsts.
For those who are not Christian or Jewish, this is also true. A sense of a higher power is also encountered in the ordinary moments in life. The people that are encountered on a daily living pass on that same sense. It is in those ordinary moments and encounters that our lives are enlightened.
Ask yourself:
How do we encounter God? Do we find Him in the ordinary moments in life? Do we seek Him out in those we encounter? Do we see Him in those we meet for the first time? Do listen to Him when those we know and trust speak to us? Do we search for Him when we work, play, rest and live our lives or do we only seek Him out in the grand moments of life or on holy days?
Full of Wisdom
P.S.--"Non nisi te!" [Without you, nothing!]--St. Augustine
Disclaimer: These blogs are all original works are resulting from of inspiration, many years of study, contemplation and personal reflection, prayer, life experiences, and encounters with others (be they personal or professional encounters). Please feel free to use the material as needed, but give credit accordingly. Who knows when or where these works might turn out. Plagiarism is a true crime. Also feel free to let me know what you think and how I am doing. Thanks. Full of Wisdom.
However, learning to encounter God in our midsts is how we come, not only to glorify Him, but also to edify our existence and daily living. Do we wait for those major moments in life to turn to Him? Do we seek Him in his Greatness? When do we search for Him?
1 Kings 19: 11-13 states:
The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
Elijah was being persecuted for following God and being one of his prophets. When in the Mountain, he encountered a great wind, and God was not in the great wind. He encountered an earthquake, but God was not in the earthquake. He enountered a great fire, but God was not in the fire. He encountered God in a gentle whisper. In the least likely of moments, was when Elijah was able to come to encounter God. Like Elijah, we too must work and toil to encounter God in the least likely of moments--the ordinary moments of life.
It is in those ordinary moments of life that we are more likely to encounter God. It is in the encounter of those we meet (from those we meet for the first time, to those we meet on a daily basis) that we come to meet God. From the one that transgress against us, to those who love us, God is walking in our midsts.
For those who are not Christian or Jewish, this is also true. A sense of a higher power is also encountered in the ordinary moments in life. The people that are encountered on a daily living pass on that same sense. It is in those ordinary moments and encounters that our lives are enlightened.
Ask yourself:
How do we encounter God? Do we find Him in the ordinary moments in life? Do we seek Him out in those we encounter? Do we see Him in those we meet for the first time? Do listen to Him when those we know and trust speak to us? Do we search for Him when we work, play, rest and live our lives or do we only seek Him out in the grand moments of life or on holy days?
Full of Wisdom
P.S.--"Non nisi te!" [Without you, nothing!]--St. Augustine
Disclaimer: These blogs are all original works are resulting from of inspiration, many years of study, contemplation and personal reflection, prayer, life experiences, and encounters with others (be they personal or professional encounters). Please feel free to use the material as needed, but give credit accordingly. Who knows when or where these works might turn out. Plagiarism is a true crime. Also feel free to let me know what you think and how I am doing. Thanks. Full of Wisdom.
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