“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13.)
Is it by chance or it’s just pure coincidence that Lent which begins on Ash Wednesday often falls on the month of love? Just as I stood before the priest to be signed with the reminder of my mortality; and then wondered what this lent could mean for me as the priest’s sermon echoed through my mind “You must love your fellow man. You must reach out to those who have hurt you no matter how badly you hurt, and forgive them. You have to love them even if you think they don’t deserve it. You must not only fast from food, but from all vices in your life. Whatever you give up this lent in terms of material comfort, you must give to charity and to the least amongst you.” I pondered in my heart if could I really give love unconditionally this lent as Christ did.
So now am I supposed to forgive him for being with my best friend; or forgive my best friend for betraying our friendship, and taking my husband to-be from me? Am I supposed to forgive a wicked uncle who took over my late dad’s property simply because we are all girls, and mother was too weak to fight; as a result I couldn’t carry on with the good life daddy had provided for me? Or am I meant to forget how my aunty lied to my uncle, so I could be kicked out of the house and exposed me to the dangers of the street, simply because I wasn’t able run all her endless errands? How can I forget the slandering of my name at work that made me the ridicule of all and sundry? How can I forget how my partner went behind my back and signed a multi-million naira deal that could have changed my fortune?
Preacher man! What is with this unconditional love and forgiveness? But, these and more, are the reasons why we are reminded, especially during this period, that to love one must die unto oneself. We must do away with our selfish human nature, out with the pride and the ego that rule us, and imbibe a more spiritual approach to understanding the true expression of love.
The words echoed through the gathering and all seemed reflective, pondering if giving into this sort of love is worth the try. Indeed, I struggle as to how to come to terms with any hurt I have suffered and how to forgive the hurt. So also with a wrong or injustice harshly meted out to me. How can I?
But, then, are we not all struggling with one challenge or the other in our lives; are we not all seeking forgiveness from someone? Truth be told, as St. Paul puts it succinctly, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
As the Lenten Season in Christian spirituality is a reminder of our mortality and limited time on earth, let us give up on our resentments and bitterness towards one another, and live forgiving and being forgiven. A life of sincerely loving one another. The chocolates and wine of this Valentine Season may have all been consumed, but our love is limitless. So let us carry on with Valentine through the year, totally surrendering to the sweetness of love, and instead of chocolates and roses, let’s give kind words and forgiving hearts.
Remember from dust we came and unto dust we must return. I am but human, and thus must fail from time to time. But knowing there is love to give and receive gives the many falls a soft landing.
Until I write again, I love you for reading.
Ada.
Photo-Credit: https://www.leadershiptransformations.org