Dear People of St. John’s,

A squat, ugly frog sat on a lily pad. He was depressed, drifting aimlessly with the breeze. Life had no real meaning and he couldn’t decide on his purpose in life. He was just sick of being a nobody and feeling ugly. His lily pad drifted toward the shore one day and there stood a beautiful princess.

"Are you one of those frogs that used to be a handsome prince until a spell was cast on you?" she asked.

"I haven’t the froggiest notion," said the frog.

The princess bent down slowly and kissed the frog. Sure enough, he turned into a handsome prince and they fell deeply in love and lived happily ever after.

Only in fairy tales, you may say, but I believe it is consistent with the Gospel of Jesus the Christ to say that one of the central tasks for every person who dares call themselves a Christian, i.e., a “Christ-person," is to kiss frogs!  Now, that is especially difficult to do since frogs are generally slimy, with potbellies, and bug eyes. It is even more difficult to do if we feel that the frog we are asked to kiss has injured on wronged us.

It is sometimes difficult for us to remember that forgiveness is primarily a verb and not a noun. Forgiveness is something we do and not something we possess. Forgiveness grows out of an awareness of having been forgiven some great offences and, realizing that fact, becoming humble enough to forgive others. To forgive says that God got it right and we do belong together in this "goodly fellowship of faith."

A mother was putting her four-year old daughter to bed one night when the daughter said, "Mama, stay here with me until I fall asleep. I’m afraid of the dark." The mother assured the little girl that there was nothing to be afraid of and that God was watching over her. The little girl said, "Yes, I know God is here with me, but tonight I need someone with skin on."

Never forget! We are to be the warm bodies extending forgiveness to others and being God with skin on to those about us. Forgiveness is based on acceptance of others with the same character defects and shortcomings as we ourselves have. God’s forgiveness is given in hopes that we will stop hurting ourselves by nursing our angers and resentments and being eaten up from the inside. Medical reports in recent publications suggest that forgiveness is an excellent way to lower our blood pressure and helps neutralize other stress-related illnesses.

Forgiveness, finally, is freeing others in order to take a giant leap in personal freedom. As long as we refuse to forgive, as long as we hang on to our resentments because we are receiving some perverse psychological payoff, others are in control of our lives. This is especially true in terms of our spiritual wellbeing. We cannot grow in positive ways to be more Christ-like if we persist in hanging on to that which destroys and cripples others or us.

Forgiveness builds up, gives the other the benefit of the doubt, and puts relationships on a level playing field where growth can occur. Experiencing forgiveness and extending it to others is a process that liberates us from living in the past. That action allows us to live lovingly, openly in the present, with reasonable hope for happiness in the future.

As summer begins practice forgiveness. The grace and mercy of Almighty God is available to help. Be brave! Reach out and picked up that ugly frog. Give it a big kiss. You might be surprised at the transformation in you both!

Peace,

                                                               Tom