One very pressing issue that hasn't gotten the attention it deserves in Orthodox theology is that of healing anger and bitterness borne by people who having been wronged in one way or another, great and small.
How, in other words, do we forgive our enemies and set down burdens of hate, bitterness, resentment? It is true that these poison the heart of the one who bears them. But how to draw the poison out and heal the wounds hurt has caused?
I personally think that there is no easy answer to this in practise, but in theory there is. Some one who has been hurt, should pray for them who has caused trouble. That is what Christ did at cross, "Lord forgive them, they don't know what they do."
ReplyDeletePraying is always born from love. Love heals bitterness and hate. Easily said, hard to follow...