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Text Box: CONTEMPLATING FORGIVENESS IN A MANNER WHICH MAY LESSEN THE POTENTIAL FOR NEEDING IT AGAIN Forgiveness is very simple, yet multi facetted, with deep aspects. Whether it be a creditor, one who has been wronged, or one to whom another is obligated in some form or another, that one is able to forgive. If forgiveness is offered by one in a position so-to-do, does forgiveness exist in and of itself? Perhaps there are some circumstances where it does exist in and of itself; but for the most part forgiveness does not exist unless it is requested, given, and accepted. The desire to receive forgiveness may be presumed, and if it is offered and accepted, the presumption was correct. But if a debtor, or a wrongdoer, or the one who owes the obligation, does not acknowledge the debt or the wrong they have wrought or the obligation they owe, then that person will neither seek forgiveness nor accept forgiveness if it is offered. Such a person neither can, nor is able, to seek forgiveness or to accept forgiveness if it is offered. The situation is similar to that wherein there is a perfectly sane and mentally competent person who is dying of thirst, but who does not believe or think they are dying of thirst, and who does not believe there is water present, and who does not believe there is a drinking glass present - even though there is someone present with water in a drinking glass - and someone expecting the thirsty person to ask for or accept the offer of a glass of water. In such a situation forgiveness does not happen, it does not exist, and the thirsty person.dies of thirst. Being the recipient of forgiveness carries with the receipt and acceptance of that forgiveness an obligation to think and to act in accordance with that forgiveness. One must seek to avoid the need for forgiveness, especially the same forgiveness, in the future, though

Text Box: it may occur, and one must readily grant forgiveness to others when it is sought - even without a formal request; for do we not also receive and accept forgiveness when it is offered even thought we have not formally requested it? Giving or granting forgiveness does not include the abandonment of prudence. If a money debt was forgiven there is no obligation associated with forgiveness that another loan be made. If the use of a vehicle was made and the vehicle made inoperable by the one using it, forgiveness does not require the use of a vehicle in the future. If a trust or a confidence was betrayed, forgiveness does not require one trust or entrust a confidence to the betrayer in the future. But the one to whom forgiveness was granted should do everything possible to establish within themselves the qualities of responsibility and trustworthiness, and to make them so predominantly operative in their life as to be acknowledged by the one who granted the forgiveness. Maintaining prudence in association with forgiveness of that which is based in the material world is easy compared to that which is based in character, especially where honor or trust are involved. Even though the one granting forgiveness may be placed in a very dire situation by the loss of money or material property, that is as if it were nothing when compared to what is faced by the one who has forgiven spousal infidelity, or the attacks of their child, or the betrayal by one whom they had the right to trust. When we seek forgiveness from God, and worry about transgressing God again, perhaps it will assist us in being faithful to God if we compare ourselves to the adulterous spouse, or the child of any age who attacked the parent, or the betrayer of one who had the right to expect fidelity from us - like the buddy in the foxhole during battle. Ref: Eph. 6:10-17, Mat. 18:23-35

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Text Box: WHEN YOUR “LEAVEN” IS MEDIOCRITY Everyone is a pattern for others to follow. Everyone is a grain of seed which provides a nestling place for others. Everyone acts as leaven, to some extent permeating and effecting all with whom they come in contact. Some of us, perhaps most of us, are shining examples of mediocrity. Some of us are mediocrely bad or evil. Some of us are mediocrely good or holy. But most of us probably are mediocrely mediocre. Our mediocrity inspires many to be just as we are - mediocre. But in some it inspires the pursuit of more energetic behavior: which can be for evil or for holiness. There are a few, very simple, steps each of us is able to take, which will change us from mediocrity to the more exemplary. One step is regular attendance of and participation in Divine Liturgy, especially on Sundays, Holy Days, and Great Feasts. But it must not be grudging attendance and participation. It must be that one desires to attend and participate, and when the subject is brought up, to mention it in a desirable manner. By way of example, if someone invites you to an event which conflicts with your ability to attend and participate in Sunday Divine Liturgy, do not say, “I have to go to Church,” or, “I have to go to Divine Liturgy,” or, “I have to go to Mass.” Tell the person, “I want to go to Divine Liturgy (or Church, or Mass), and it is at the same time.” Then, you may wish to add, “Perhaps I can join you later,” or if it is appropriate, tell

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