I found myself thinking about Lord Voldemort in the shower yesterday morning. I've been rereading the Harry Potter series recently, maybe not a good time for it at Lent but it formed my thoughts for my Pause for Advent.
Lord Voldemort is the ultimate baddie. He's power crazy and wants to set himself up as God, never dying, all powerful, his name is forbidden, you mustn't say it or you get caught and punished. He wants to destroy those who are against him. He has those who are his fervent followers who like to think they are not afraid of him, but they are. Lucius Malloy, a great follower and believer of his makes mistakes and Lord Voldemort is angry and wants to punish him. He makes his son do an impossible task and wants him to fail, even though Lucius has begged for forgiveness. And it struck me, EVIL never forgives. It wants to crush and destroy and punish. All baddies want those who fail to suffer, never truly forgives or trusts them.
But TRUE GOOD always forgives. True good always offers another chance if the perpetrator truly wants another chance to be saved from their fate and punishment. God, by sending his Son to die for the World, wanted him to succeed and wanted to and wants to offer us another chance. Even if the one who needs forgiving only truly wants forgiveness at the last moment. Even if, like Severus Shape, you only see the light near the end, He always offers it. Forgiveness is offered. Willingly and lovingly. Jesus willingly and lovingly dies on that Cross every year, waiting for that heart.
True good, True God, always forgives
Lord Voldemort is the ultimate baddie. He's power crazy and wants to set himself up as God, never dying, all powerful, his name is forbidden, you mustn't say it or you get caught and punished. He wants to destroy those who are against him. He has those who are his fervent followers who like to think they are not afraid of him, but they are. Lucius Malloy, a great follower and believer of his makes mistakes and Lord Voldemort is angry and wants to punish him. He makes his son do an impossible task and wants him to fail, even though Lucius has begged for forgiveness. And it struck me, EVIL never forgives. It wants to crush and destroy and punish. All baddies want those who fail to suffer, never truly forgives or trusts them.
But TRUE GOOD always forgives. True good always offers another chance if the perpetrator truly wants another chance to be saved from their fate and punishment. God, by sending his Son to die for the World, wanted him to succeed and wanted to and wants to offer us another chance. Even if the one who needs forgiving only truly wants forgiveness at the last moment. Even if, like Severus Shape, you only see the light near the end, He always offers it. Forgiveness is offered. Willingly and lovingly. Jesus willingly and lovingly dies on that Cross every year, waiting for that heart.
True good, True God, always forgives