tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100862372880209397.post9073329947248890499..comments2024-03-28T19:05:04.458-07:00Comments on TIME FOR REFLECTIONS: God and Logic. Logic and God.Victor S E Moubarakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280638667651857296noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100862372880209397.post-68961621134164390842012-05-20T07:53:41.121-07:002012-05-20T07:53:41.121-07:00Thank you Father Paul Wharton for visiting my Blog...Thank you Father Paul Wharton for visiting my Blog and for taking the trouble to comment. I very much appreciate it.<br /><br />It is often difficult to let go of the hurt Father. Yes, in our hearts we may have forgiven in as much as we don't wish any evil to our wrong-doer. But the pain remains and rekindles resentments which should have died long since.<br /><br />Your quote about drinking poison is so right in this respect.<br /><br />Thank you Father for your kind words and advice.<br /><br />God bless you always.Victor S E Moubarakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04280638667651857296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100862372880209397.post-69334395937032230342012-05-20T03:55:08.064-07:002012-05-20T03:55:08.064-07:00Another wonderful post, Victor. I congratulate Ha...Another wonderful post, Victor. I congratulate Harry for even considering the question honestly: "Am I doing what Jesus taught and expects?" There are a lot of people who refuse to even try to forgive. They hold onto past hurts that have devolved first into grudges and finally into resentments. A sure sign that we haven't truly forgiven someone is if we have a resentment about him or her. Some unknown and truly wise person said, "Holding onto a resentment is like drinking poison and hoping the other person will die."<br /><br />Father Paul Wharton http://heartsonfire33.wordpress.compjw919https://www.blogger.com/profile/06102237563849912679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100862372880209397.post-53510627233501366362012-05-16T02:23:34.990-07:002012-05-16T02:23:34.990-07:00Hi Sue,
You're of course right that Fr Ignati...Hi Sue,<br /><br />You're of course right that Fr Ignatius should have shown more compassion towards Harry; and no doubt in real life he would have. When writing, I have to keep my stories tight and short so they don't go on. I agree, Harry is still hurting ... many of us often do in real life when we've been severely wronged.<br /><br />You make a very good point about Harry not being required to have a warm and fuzzy feeling towards his wrng-doer. Perhaps, we don't really understand what Christ meant by "love your enemy". I know, I don't.<br /><br />Did He mean love him like we love our children? Like we love our friends and colleagues at work, or our neighbours? If so, I know that I can't ... Of course one can forgive; but how can one "love" as if the person is still a friend?<br /><br />Or how can one love as Christ has loved us? That's surely impossible. Christ is God and He loves like a God does; not like a human. <br /><br />It's nice to see you visiting again. Whether it's three hours ago or sooner even. Please visit again.<br /><br />God bless.Victor S E Moubarakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04280638667651857296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100862372880209397.post-28291309499030001362012-05-16T01:16:00.666-07:002012-05-16T01:16:00.666-07:00Victor,
Beautiful Whispers brings up a good point...Victor,<br /><br />Beautiful Whispers brings up a good point! Surely loving someone means wanting the best for them (for them to get to Heaven) and Harry is not required to have a warm and fuzzy feeling towards the person who wronged him? <br /><br />I am wondering if Fr Ignatius should have shown more compassion towards Harry. Deep scars can be left when we are hurt, depending on the situation. These scars can actually make life very difficult. Even if we can forgive, we still have to live with scars. Fr Ignatius didn't ask Harry if he'd like to talk over his situation. Harry might end up feeling guilty because he is unable to love like Jesus. He really is the victim here, and given love and understanding and empathy, he might be able to heal and actually look at his wrong-doer in a better light.<br /><br />Victor, I just noticed your Feedjit. I can see I have been here for over a minute and also I visited about 3 hours ago. But you know that already because of my comments!<br /><br />God bless.Sue Elvishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04461161335483760142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100862372880209397.post-54722795962664613312012-05-15T07:59:30.871-07:002012-05-15T07:59:30.871-07:00Thank you Beautiful Whispers for your kind comment...Thank you Beautiful Whispers for your kind comments.<br /><br />You make a very good point. Maybe we're not defining love too well. Perhaps Christ is asking us to forgive as best we can and to recognise the wrong-doer as a creature of God who has gone astray. As the hurt person, we should hand them over to God in all confidence that He will deal with the situation in His way, in His time, and in His love and mercy. <br /><br />Thank you Beautiful Whispers for a new perspective on this.<br /><br />God bless you and yours.Victor S E Moubarakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04280638667651857296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100862372880209397.post-1957807437252940972012-05-15T07:49:37.549-07:002012-05-15T07:49:37.549-07:00Wondrful story and a story most of us can relate t...Wondrful story and a story most of us can relate to. Maybe we aren't defining love in the right context. Maybe Jesus meant that Harry should value this person as a human being verses those mushy feelings that we normally equate love with? Thank you. This is a very thought provoking post. <br /><br />Thank you for your kind comment you left on my Mother's Day post. God bless.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01224808618141191730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100862372880209397.post-83349964406129027772012-05-14T23:22:24.912-07:002012-05-14T23:22:24.912-07:00Hello Sarah and Sue,
There's a good point bei...Hello Sarah and Sue,<br /><br />There's a good point being made here in that hate involves malice. Harry does dislike, or despise the individual who hurt him, especially since the results of that act still affect Harry daily in his life. He has forgiven him and wishes no revenge or retribution. But he can't help the feelings he has towards the wrong-doer.<br /><br />Is that feeling a sin? Or just a natural reaction to the hurt and perhaps slow healing that is yet to take place.<br /><br />Let's look at it another way.<br /><br />What is love? How can Harry "love" the person who hurt him? How do we "love" our enemies?<br /><br />Is forgiveness and not seeking retribution and revenge "love"? Is praying for the wrong-doer "love"?<br /><br />Can you have love and still despise the person?<br /><br />Fr Ignatius thinks not. He sees lack of love as disobedience of Christ's commandment to love our enemy.<br /><br />But can we really love like Christ did on the Cross?<br /><br />God bless you and your families Sarah and Sue.Victor S E Moubarakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04280638667651857296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100862372880209397.post-41950533671223392262012-05-14T22:56:54.522-07:002012-05-14T22:56:54.522-07:00Victor,
Maybe we can't help disliking someone...Victor,<br /><br />Maybe we can't help disliking someone but we can always wish the best for them regardless. We can pray for them if nothing else. There are some people I dislike and they haven't had the least effect on my life. I just avoid them. Is it a sin to dislike them? But dislike isn't the same as hate. I agree with Sarah that hate carries with it a sense of malice. <br /><br />Also maybe forgiveness happens gradually, going deeper each time. I think I have whole heartedly forgiven someone and then new pain washes over me. It is necessary to reaffirm that forgiveness, to keep asking God to heal my heart. It's not a one off event but a continual process, turning to God constantly to stay on track.<br /><br />Thought provoking!Sue Elvishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04461161335483760142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100862372880209397.post-51529862632964586122012-05-14T16:37:28.319-07:002012-05-14T16:37:28.319-07:00I think hate is a sin whether you say or do anythi...I think hate is a sin whether you say or do anything about it. But maybe what Harry is describing as hate isn't really hate. I think hate always carries a sense of malice. I do know that our human nature makes it impossible to love our enemies. We can only give our hatred to God and submit to his Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who loves through us when we choose to love our enemies. <br /><br />Excellent story, very thought provoking.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09091216096297798587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100862372880209397.post-68128733501651547412012-05-14T13:13:16.134-07:002012-05-14T13:13:16.134-07:00Thank you Mary for your kind words.
Our priest sa...Thank you Mary for your kind words.<br /><br />Our priest said in the sermon on Sunday that love is a commitment.<br /><br />We commit to love. Even our enemies.<br /><br />But is this possible Mary? Can we truly love someone who has hurt us and continues to do so?<br /><br />Christ loved His enemies on the Cross. But He is God. We are not. And cannot love as Him.<br /><br />Fr Ignatius says in this story that the world has seen many evil leaders carry out atrocities. Can we really love them? We may forgive them; even though the pain persists. But can we really love them?<br /><br />And is it a sin if we don't? Albeit we forgave them; as Harry in this story?<br /><br />Like you, I look forward to other peoples' views on this.<br /><br />God bless.Victor S E Moubarakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04280638667651857296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100862372880209397.post-48666161816425214432012-05-14T11:22:35.889-07:002012-05-14T11:22:35.889-07:00This is a great story because it taps into an area...This is a great story because it taps into an area where many of us probably have questions. Sometimes people really DO do things that change one's life forever and they never get closure or an apology. They never know the "why" of it and may not know until heaven. <br /><br />Love is a choice I think. Even if the feelings don't match we can still always choose love. The will is more important than the emotions, don't you think? I know I can't depend on my emotions, they seem to be as unpredictable as the wind from day to day.<br /><br />God says pray for your enemies. It makes sense because the truth is that they are not really your enemies but your brethren in Christ (though some may not realize it yet.)<br /><br />I'm interested in what others say about this situation. This is a VERY good post, Victor. Thank you.Mary N.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06618318192221168152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100862372880209397.post-68465334403332532942012-05-14T04:30:54.572-07:002012-05-14T04:30:54.572-07:00Hi Vicky,
Thanx for your kind comments. Yes, this...Hi Vicky,<br /><br />Thanx for your kind comments. Yes, this is a sasd story. The thing is Vicky ... sometimes deep inside we truly forgive. We don't wish the other person bad or ill-will. But we just can't help disliking them, or hating them ... or perhaps hating the situation they put us in.<br /><br />That's the dilemma for Harry. He does not wish his wrong-doer any harm and has truly forgiven and prays for him. Yet ... whenever he thinks of his daily situation, and changed life for the worse, he hates the wrong-doer. Privately, personally, he still hates.<br /><br />Is that a sin?<br /><br />I don't know. Perhaps some readers could share their views.<br /><br />Fr Ignatius says that hating and loving don't go together. So by hating, Harry is not loving the wrong-doer as Christ commanded.<br /><br />But Harry says he can't help it. Hate is a natural emotion within him. Like all our other emotions.<br /><br />I hadn't planned a continuation story, Vicky. It's a dilemma I have not sorted out yet ... if ever.<br /><br />God bless you.Victor S E Moubarakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04280638667651857296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100862372880209397.post-57731234927794157982012-05-14T04:11:27.266-07:002012-05-14T04:11:27.266-07:00I love your story-telling, Victor:-) This one is s...I love your story-telling, Victor:-) This one is so sad. It makes me realise how hate spreads and how it can deceive people into a false sense of security.<br /><br />Does this story continue, Victor? I'm wondering, now, how Harry solves his dilemma.<br /><br />God bless:-)Vickyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10020095571963954615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100862372880209397.post-81490312541500975192012-05-14T04:11:03.065-07:002012-05-14T04:11:03.065-07:00I love your story-telling, Victor:-) This one is s...I love your story-telling, Victor:-) This one is so sad. It makes me realise how hate spreads and how it can deceive people into a false sense of security.<br /><br />Does this story continue, Victor? I'm wondering, now, how Harry solves his dilemma.<br /><br />God bless:-)Vickyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10020095571963954615noreply@blogger.com