For this Sunday, May 29th, the focus for our
meditation will be on Clemency. The quality of Clemency refers to the ability to be compassionate but also implies
the willingness to be lenient and merciful in how we judge others. I heard a real-life story recently about a
police officer who purposely falsified evidence to boost arrest statistics even
though it meant the conviction of completely innocent people. An individual who had been wrongly
incarcerated because of this officer’s unethical conduct was released after
several years when his dishonesty was revealed.
The former police officer ended up having to also serve time for his
crime and upon his parole found himself working at a job that helped
reintegrate prisoners into society. To
his chagrin the young man he had wrongly put behind bars was also employed
there. The situation held all the
potential for conflict, but when the former police officer sought to offer a
sincere apology for what he had done he was amazed to find it genuinely
accepted by the other man. It was the
choice of this young man to gracefully accept the apology, even though what had
happened had caused him much damage in his life. When asked for an explanation he said he needed
to extend true forgiveness not for his sake, nor for the other man’s sake, but
for the benefit of both of them. This
reminds us that Clemency or
forgiveness is a two-way street. While
one person extends an olive branch in the form of an apology, there is an equal
burden on the recipient as to how they choose to respond. Some might say he should have continued to
feel resentful and judged the peace attempt as insincere or one intended only
to make the bearer feel better. However,
if the victim in this case chose that route it would have placed him in the
position of being judgmental and unforgiving.
Both then become inexorably bound to the injustice, never to be freed
from its chains. This week in our prayer
and meditation time let us look over those times when we have been wounded by
others and ask if we have been gracious enough to feel real Clemency toward them. Rather than encumber ourselves with judgment
and resentment, let us ask to be lifted from that load and guided toward a
position of genuine forgiveness that frees us both through the amazing power of
Clemency.
In our efforts this week let us also continue to use the
energy of our prayers and meditation to amplify the light that covers and fills
this nation. As we perform our
meditation this week let us begin by re-energizing the brilliance and power of
the light we create. Just as before, begin
by forming a concentrated ball of light that is so bright it is almost
impossible to look directly at it. Raise
this sphere of light up high over the nation and then let its rays cascade down
to create a solid, impenetrable dome of light that completely covers every inch
of our country. From shore to shore and
border to border let the entire continent be filled with this brilliant, dense
light that will serve to magnify the best and highest qualities of our country
and the people who live across its vast lands.
Please follow the same practice as before: Get centered in
your body, ask to bring in your guides and others who are there to assist us,
and connect to the circle of others participating in this project.
Ask yourself what do I feel in my body when I have been
truly willing to extend genuine Clemency
for another person? How does it feel in
my body when I am able to release myself from judgment and offer Clemency for those who may have hurt me? Then send the energy and intention of those
feelings to the nation.
Be sure to disconnect from the circle at the end and express
thanks for those who have helped us in this effort.
If you have feedback or experiences you would like to share
please let me know via e-mail to kmiritello@gmail.com
