On the night of 14th November 1940, the Luftwaffe bombed and devastated the city of Coventry. Hit directly by several incendiary bombs, the Cathedral burned with the city.
The next morning, they decided to rebuild the Cathedral as a sign of faith, trust and hope. An altar was made out of the rubble, a cross was made of nails found. The Cross of Nails has become the symbol of Coventry’s ministry of reconciliation, and forgiveness.
On the wall behind the cross of nails was written ‘Father forgive’… not ‘Father forgive them’ – that can point the finger and imply I am innocent…
At a similar time, in Germany, in the Ravensbrück concentration camp, where 92 000 women and children died, a nameless woman wrote:
‘O Lord, remember not only the men and women of good will, but also those of ill will. But do not remember all the suffering they have inflicted on us; remember the fruits that we have borne, thanks to this suffering – our comradeship, our loyalty, our humility, our courage, our generosity, the greatness of heart which has grown out of all this; and when we come to judgement, let all the fruits we have borne be their forgiveness.’
Henry Ward Beecher was a controversial nineteenth century American minister, social reformer, and speaker. He’s known for his supporting the abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage and temperance… His sister Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Beecher said:
‘I can forgive, but I cannot forget, is only another way of saying, I will not forgive. Forgiveness ought to be like a cancelled note, torn in two, and burned up, so that it never can be shown against one.’
This morning I’m musing on Jesus’ repeated emphasis on the importance of forgiveness… repeatedly forgiving – seventy times seven times… receiving as well as giving forgiveness… and Jesus words from the cross: ‘Father forgive them…’ …no requirement of an apology or repentance from those nailing him to the cross… Unconditional forgiveness.
malcolmsmusings.org 
So precious. Precious words. Precious gift of forgiveness. Malcolm I am sitting here witb tears streaming down my face… not my own tears only but the Holy Spirits tears in this wicked world the Master’s hands and feet are torn every day…. the blessedness of His Peace torn up onto shreds by wicked hands… Bkess you my friend for the tears which heal
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Thank you, my friend. I’ve been reminded recently that forgiveness is a gift that we need to both receive and give away.
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Henry Ward Beecher’s statement is so divinely profound Malcolm, but so humanly difficult.
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I think, Fred, I would go as far as saying that we can’t do it unaided….
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Unconditional forgiveness – beautiful!
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Beautiful, yes, but a real challenge to feel and practice, Wynne!
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Yes, you are so right about that, Malcolm!
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Thanks for this, Malcolm, – I think😊
Henry Ward Beecher’s quote was hard to read! I can forgive, but find it hard to ‘forget’ when I live every day with the consequences of that specific need to forgive. I guess I need to forgive on a daily basis, and not just the ‘one-off’ forgiveness so many years ago – hence the ‘forgive seventy times seven’ instruction!
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I’m with you, Lynn. Forgiveness isn’t straightforward – and is a process rather than an event…
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Thanks for sharing this idea. Anita
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Thanks, Anita. Forgiveness is so important. I have to keep learning!
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For whatever reason I did not read this on Monday !!! ( Perhaps in some respects that was good )
As always, your Musing was very thought provoking, as also were the comments you received from people, along with your response to everyone.
Definitely a challenge in life for us all on occasions. At times, or at all, could we do it on our own ?
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You’re right, Keith. If we take challenges like this seriously it’s a difficult ask. Whether we can manage it alone is a good question!
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