Yesterday was my Father the Mighty King His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I's 120th birthday, or Earthstrong (the day one arrives on earth and is strong enough to stay) as rastas say. In celebration, I attended a binghi (a gathering of people for the purpose of creating unity and freedom through drumming & chanting.) One of the chants, "By the Rivers of Babylon" has a line that states "let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in thy sight oh Fari."
I began to think about just how difficult a thing this is for us as humans. All of us, including myself, say, think, and feel things from time to time that may not be acceptable to the Most High, or each other. I began to think about how important forgiveness is for us.
It is often difficult for many to forgive others' offensive words, thoughts or actions. Even when we forgive, we sometimes fail to allow the offender to feel forgiven. I wonder if it is forgiveness if we hold grudges or seek to punish one another. Recently in the news, a gunman shot 71 people, at least 12 of which are dead. Does he deserve forgiveness? Are we as humans even capable of such forgiveness?
In the documentary "Holding On To Jah*," which is a Rastafari/Reggae history 101, I learned something remarkable about His Imperial Majesty. In 1943, when Haile Selassie I returned from exile after regaining control of Ethiopia from the Italians, He told Ethiopians not to harm the Italian soldiers, instead, have them rebuild what they destroyed. I thought, only a divine being would be able to show such mercy to ones who have killed His people and ravaged His country.
Perhaps we are a long way from having the capacity to forgive a mass murderer in such a way as Emperor Haile Selassie I...though I believe it is in us. What we can and should do in the mean time is gain perspective on offenses of the mouth and heart and learn to truly forgive one another and move forward in peace. I think if we study the words of our own mouths and the meditations of our own hearts, we will find that we all may find ourselves in need of forgiveness from time to time. Peace, love, and blessings.
*
It is often difficult for many to forgive others' offensive words, thoughts or actions. Even when we forgive, we sometimes fail to allow the offender to feel forgiven. I wonder if it is forgiveness if we hold grudges or seek to punish one another. Recently in the news, a gunman shot 71 people, at least 12 of which are dead. Does he deserve forgiveness? Are we as humans even capable of such forgiveness?
In the documentary "Holding On To Jah*," which is a Rastafari/Reggae history 101, I learned something remarkable about His Imperial Majesty. In 1943, when Haile Selassie I returned from exile after regaining control of Ethiopia from the Italians, He told Ethiopians not to harm the Italian soldiers, instead, have them rebuild what they destroyed. I thought, only a divine being would be able to show such mercy to ones who have killed His people and ravaged His country.
Perhaps we are a long way from having the capacity to forgive a mass murderer in such a way as Emperor Haile Selassie I...though I believe it is in us. What we can and should do in the mean time is gain perspective on offenses of the mouth and heart and learn to truly forgive one another and move forward in peace. I think if we study the words of our own mouths and the meditations of our own hearts, we will find that we all may find ourselves in need of forgiveness from time to time. Peace, love, and blessings.
