Over at The Onion, the perfect follow-up to the Rattigan/Nelson piece:
CASPER, WY—A powerful, enduring grudge was ruined for local resident Roger Chilton Saturday following a profoundly earnest plea for forgiveness from longtime friend Peter Scotto. “I was looking forward to harboring this bitter resentment for at least another decade, [goshdarnit], and now he’s taken that away from me,” a deflated Chilton lamented, recalling how Scotto had selfishly revealed his innermost vulnerabilities during the deeply emotional apology. “The worst part is, he was completely and unequivocally remorseful, the bastard.” Chilton told reporters he was so upset over having to give up the grudge that he vowed never to forgive Scotto for such a brave and honest act.
Read more on and from Related Posts
-
Another Week Ends: Colbert’s Gratitude, Eagleton’s Jesus, Silent Men, Parenthood, Buck, Twilight Sparkle, and Sendak on Blake
-
A Handful of Valentines Day Links: Tortoise Love, Tender Paper Planes, Taylor Swift B-Sides, Co-Dependent Pixels, and Ryan’s Rescue
-
Another Week Ends: Last Words, Scientologists, The Onion, John Hughes
1 comment
Mike Demmon says:
Jun 10, 2010
This reminds me of a prevailing pastoral problem, one I felt significantly while doing field work in SW Pennsylvania: the pride some people took in holding grudges. It baffled me, and it was a continual frustration of my rector at the time. "I haven't spoke to Sally in 45 years" one woman said, not with sorrow, but with pride, as if those years were consecutive sports championships.
One could say that holding a grudge feels like holding power. That person is stuck in that wrong and one continues as his moral superior as long as one holds that grudge over him. Except that holding a grudge really is keeping both the offender and one's self locked in sin and death.
There is a lot forgiveness in the Gospel, but there is also a lot of Gospel in forgiveness. In forgiving we recognize our state, that we need forgiveness from God. And see recognize our lack of power even to live except through his love, shown by the fact that Christ took up the Cross instead of holding a grudge against humanity.
Thank you Onion, and DZ!