Le Gach Dea-ghuí

One day someone steals your bicycle, eats your 

lunch, insults you and trips you on the stairs.

After a few days of this you  call that person a worm

and a dog and what's worse maybe even say their 

mother wears army boots.

But then you start to feel uncomfortable in your 

skin so even though you consider the sins of the 

other far greater than yours you say, "I'm sorry I 

called you a worm and a dog and your mother 

actually wears nice shoes."

And surprise of surprises you find being good with 

the other person isn't important, being good with 

yourself is what matters.

Is this feeling of being back on an even keel 

forgiveness?

My churchy understanding is that forgiveness means 

that you never again think of what was said and 

done and like a frigging saint you pick up with the 

person as if it never happened.

Fine if your name is Mother Theresa.

It seems to me right now that it isn't churchy

forgiveness that is called for, rather it is

being right with your God(s), loving and 

respecting your own soul and being able to 

gently let the other person go.

One translation of the Irish 'le gach dea-ghuí' is 

"go with prayers".

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