Many of the purported leaders in our country have gone “low” in recent years because of their greed, hubris, and disdain for immigrants, people of color, and those who are poor. A great many persons have suffered as a result of their actions. When the deeds of those who have acted shamefully catch up with them, it is tempting for us to gloat and sit in judgment: “They got what they deserved.”
It is always right to oppose the actions of those who harm other people and the earth itself and take away their power to inflict more damage. It is never right for us to exhibit the same disdain for them that they show to others. Rejoicing in the downfall of another demeans us and interferes with the possibility of healing for ourselves and the other person.
In the October 2020 issue of Give Us This Day, Fr. James Martin spoke about advice he received when he had a longstanding conflict with a housemate: “Pray to see him as God sees him.” In the parable of the Prodigal Son, the older brother’s outrage at his younger brother’s behavior prevented him from seeing his brother’s humanity and ate away at his own capacity for forgiveness and his sense of peace. When we are able to see people who have sinned as God sees them, we remember that they, like us, are always met with love and mercy. That does not mean they do not have to experience consequences for egregious behavior. It does mean that one of those consequences is not hatred, which is as corrosive to us as it is to them.
Norman Cousins said, “Life is an adventure in forgiveness.” Fortunately, we can count on having good companions on the high road who can help us over the rough patches of resentment and judgment that we encounter along the way.
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