Part 2
Mandela replied �If I had held onto anger and bitterness during those dreadful days, I would have been twice in chains. Through my forgiveness they no longer had control of my spirit, even though my body was theirs.�
By such remarkable determination, Mandela not only saved his own life but also built a platform for the peace and reconciliation process, which is saving so many lives throughout Africa.
Recently, my son was violently assaulted by a gang of youths. The grotesqueness of the crime made all of the national papers and media. He has endured countless surgeries as a result of their destructive behaviour. When he was interviewed by the BBC, my son surprised me, as well as the news presenter, when he said he had forgiven all of them for what they had done. The presenter asked him how was it possible that he could do such a thing, especially after having suffered such an horrific and sustained attack, simply because of his height.
http://bigworldsmallboat.blogspot.com/search?q =when+violence+touches+your+own
Without a beat, my son said that if he didn�t forgive him, he would become no better than they were and he had to forgive them in order to was away his rage.
Indeed, we must forgive. This does not mean forget. But that act of forgiveness will give us greater energy and strength to work collectively, ensuring that such seeds of hatred, bigotry and prejudice are eradicated. And, perhaps most importantly, our own hearts can return to savour the sweetness of life, rather than the bitterness.
Fr Bill