I'm struck by the public reaction to the gruesome murder of the students at the Amish school in Pennsylvania. In particular, I'm struck by the reaction to the fact that the Amish community he attacked has already forgiven him. Tonight a reporter on WJLA the ABC affiliate in Washington DC, asked one of the Amish men "How can you forgive him already?" to which he simply replied "With God's help."
Most can't really believe that these people, who are educated every day in a community that is dramatically aware of God's bounty and providence, have truly forgiven this man who killed their children. Most don't understand because they don't come from that culture. For the Amish there is one understanding of reality, a unitary explanation of reality, in which all of reality is made by a relationship with God, with the Mystery. This doesn't negate the pain they feel, but it does give meaning to their pain, there is someone they can ask the question "Why?" to.
For most of the world, the reaction to this type of event is revenge, rage, or murder. There is no possiblity to forgive because there is no awareness that everything and everyone, even this murderer, are a sign of the one makes all of reality. For the Amish, there is no other way of looking at this. They do not forgive because they have "gotten over it" or they aren't still in pain. They forgive from a judgement. I forgive you because I know the one who makes us also forgives you.
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