I was always a little unsure about JFKs 1963 speech on world peace: “Our problems are manmade–therefore, they can be solved by man.” When it comes to world peace, he may have a point. Warmongers could just stop fighting (us too!) And it’s not just swords and guns that have to be stilled – wars are just as fraught when fought with lawyers or trade or books.
But it’s also true that some man-made problems cannot be solved. We try: if you buy something you decide you don’t want, send it back; if you break a leg, it heals. But if you cut a tree down, you can’t un-cut it; if you say something unkind, you can say you’re sorry but you can’t unsay what you said.
Actions have consequences. We like to think of penance like an ‘undo’ button – pay the fine and everything is fine. But forgiveness isn’t forgottenness – forgiveness is more – it takes away the offence and restores the relationship without undoing the fact – or what may follow because of the fact.
“The LORD has taken away your sin” the Prophet Nathan said to King David (2Kings12:13), leading David into a different future, not back to the past.
Raymond