HOME | e-HUM News | e-HUM ANNOUNCEMENTS | SUBSCRIBE
together ARCHIVES | HUM NEWS ARCHIVES
  e-HUM ARCHIVES | DOWNLOADS | e-HUM ALERT

February 2003

Words from the Bishop

e-HUM is a free service of Indiana Area United Methodist Communications, www.inareaumc.org. Subscribers will receive late-breaking news, announcements and Church resources via e-mail. We welcome your comments, please direct to e-HUM editor  at ehumeditor@inareaumc.org. 

Reflections from the bishop:

Forgiving is good for your health ? and your soul

Lent is a time for "taking stock" of one's life. Sin, repentance, forgiveness are themes of this Holy Season. Forgiveness! It's one of those difficult virtues -- a sign of mature faithful Christian discipleship. Like loving your enemy and praying for those who do you harm, it is easier said than done. But they are explicit commands of our Lord.

Who has not been tested by the command of forgiveness? Indeed who has not needed it, yet been unwilling to give it? It is a common human failing.

The article was posted on an office bulletin board; "To forgive is divine -- and good for your health." I was intrigued. I read it with more than a casual interest.

The newspaper article quoted several studies that indicated the damage done to those who hold grudges and are unable or unwilling to forgive. There are physical and emotional consequences of harboring ill will. The stress symptoms reported are such things as, " ? headaches, stomach aches, dizziness, fatigue and muscle aches." These are some of the physical costs, not to mention the spiritual costs. Jesus didn't make it any easier when queried about how many times should one forgive when injured by a neighbor.

But Jesus' command notwithstanding, forgiveness is tough business. It is so much easier to feed the hurt and anger, and to let the grudge grow -- sometimes unchecked it grows into hatred.

Perhaps forgiveness would be easier if the one needing it desired it, cared about it, or was deserving of forgiveness. It is worse, when there is no acknowledgement of wrongdoing.

Sometimes it is difficult to forgive, because there are those who want an easy forgiveness. When the words, "I'm sorry, please forgive me," are just an empty phrase. Or often a repeated one -- because behavior does not change.

Yet Lent is especially about forgiveness and repentance. It is hard to miss these themes of the forty-day period in the Christian calendar.

Interestingly, despite the studies to the contrary one sometimes "feels better" when carrying heart malice and wishing ill will of others; or so it seems.

The article contends, "Forgiveness takes practice. It takes conscious effort not to react everyday to the things, people and events that usually make us angry, resentful and vengeful." Practice forgiveness. Could that be what Jesus had in mind when he responded to the suggestion that maybe seven times to forgive was sufficient? No! Seventy times seven was his response. That's a lot of practice!

If Lent is only a time when one ponders his or her own need for forgiveness, and not the opportunity to offer it to others, we miss its true discipleship meaning.

I still remember as a child I was especially mistreated by a particular family member. It was apparent her resentment was deep. There is something utterly painful when an adult resents a child. At some point -- I know not when or really how -- I released not only my pain, but my inward ill will. I forgave.

In old age, the person was astonished by my kindness and our "close" relationship. Then the words came seemingly from nowhere one warm spring day, "I'm sorry - please forgive me."

"I already have -- years ago," I responded. She wept.

I wish forgiveness were always so easy. It's not!

The article quoted noted novelist, Frederick Buechner, who wrote,

"To lick your wounds, to smack your lips over grievances long past, to roll your tongue over the prospect of bitter confrontations still to come, to savor to the last toothsome morsel of both the pain you are given and the pain you are giving back-in many ways is a feast fit for a king. The chief drawback is, what you are wolfing down is yourself."

Not to forgive could be injurious to your health. And to your soul!

Lenten Resources

Available from Cokesbury

Destination Easter!
Lenten Programs & Practices for Youth
Author: Kaylea Hutson, Kathy Hershman

Bring the richness of Lent and the events of Holy Week to life for youth. Each exciting program has a meaningful and related practice which gives youth the opportunity to experience various traditions and celebrations related to the season. In addition, this resource includes photocopiable weekly newsletters, devotional and bible study materials, and journaling pages to encourage youth in their spiritual life and in their attendance.

Jesus' Lonely Road
Devotional Guides For Lent And Holy Week
Robert C. Bankhead

Based on scripture passages from the Gospel of Mark, "Jesus' Lonely Road" includes two devotional guides for personal meditation and prayers during Lent. The first section covers Ash Wednesday through Passion Sunday, focusing on Jesus' journey to Jerusalem and his increasing isolation from the disciples as well as his growing conflict with Jewish leaders. The second section, for Holy Week, follows Jesus each day as he walked the Road to the Cross. These devotional resources are perfect for distribution to church members as part of your Lenten activities -- use them in combination with Bankhead's other Lenten titles for a complete interrelated seasonal program.

Lent
The Sunday Readings: Stories and Reflections
Author: Megan Mckenna

Megan McKenna, the well-known storyteller and popular author, walks readers through the 40 days of Lent and Holy Week. This expanded edition includes the Sunday readings for Cycles A, B, and C, including Palm Sunday. The meditations for each Sunday include a unique story that illustrates and enriches the message of each passage and shows how it can empower readers.

The Essential Lenten Handbook
A Daily Companion

This handbook is conceived as an essential reference for the season of Lent, and for the reader's spiritual preparation for the feast of Easter. It collects in one volume prayers, practices, customs, and a glossary of specifically Lenten terms -- in short, all that may be needed in order to provide the reader with the opportunity to journey with the Lord from Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday, the beginning of the Easter Triduum.

Central to this collection is a series of daily meditations, based on the changing liturgical cycle, which guide the reader through the season with Scripture and the Word. The meditations are a contemporary reflection, weaving together story, anecdote, and practical wisdom in order to provide a springboard for private prayer and meditation.

e-HUM copyright 2003 by Indiana Area United Methodist Communications. 
To subscribe to "e-HUM", send a blank e-mail to add@inareaumc.org. 
To unsubscribe from e-HUM, send a blank e-mail to remove@inareaumc.org.

TOP OF PAGE