Spotlight on Forgiveness. (2 min 12 sec)

You're caught in a scandal. The media is ablaze, fans are outraged, and judgment is raining down on you.

Let's consider the story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery. The teachers brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus, asking if she should be stoned according to the Law. Jesus, instead of condemning her, challenged those without sin to cast the first stone. Everyone left, and Jesus forgave the woman, telling her to go and sin no more.

The Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees sought to condemn. They used the woman as a pawn, a test for Jesus. Yet, Jesus saw beyond the situation. He saw a soul, not a sinner.

All judgment stems from a belief in separation. We see ourselves as separate from God and thus separate from others. This separation breeds fear, and fear manifests as judgment.

What if, instead of judging you, we followed Jesus' example? What if we asked ourselves the same question he posed: "If any one of us is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at you?"

Chances are, we'd all put the stone down. We all have our imperfections, our shadows. We've all made mistakes.

Love teaches us to forgive ourselves, and in doing so, we open the door to forgiving others. We can choose to see you not through the lens of judgment, but through the lens of compassion.

Can we separate your actions from your inherent worth as a human being?
Do we truly know the circumstances that led to your choices?
Can we offer you the same understanding and forgiveness we would want for ourselves?

We are all on a journey back to God. You, like all of us, are learning. By releasing judgment, we create space for you (and ourselves) to heal and move forward. This doesn't mean condoning your actions. It simply means approaching the situation with compassion.

#thinkgod
I am sorry.
Please forgive me.
Thank you.
I love you