Forgiven and Blessed

Forgiven and Blessed

By

Julio C. Rivas, CS

 

The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, "Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?" They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, "The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone." Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt. Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. "Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?" ¹¹"No one, Master." "Neither do I," said Jesus. "Go on your way. From now on, don't sin." (John 8:3-11 in “The Message”)

 

A woman I know was helped by this biblical story.  She had made a grave mistake at work and the criticism was severe.  She felt guilty, ashamed and humiliated.  Ostensibly her career path at the firm had come to an end.  She was experiencing anxiety attacks and uncontrollable crying spells. 

 

In our conversations together I said that the fountain of her life was LOVE, and that LOVE’s tender caring for her erased mistakes and punishment.  Also, that our mistakes are opportunities for self-development. 

 

Kindness, empathy and forgiveness are qualities of LOVE and our expression of them augments our opportunities.  I reminded her of her intelligence and multiple talents. 

 

            Her mental clarity returned.  She scrutinized her past judgment and decisions and took note of what she would do differently in the future under similar circumstances. 

 

She was not fired, but high profile opportunities were given to others.  In the meantime, we continued our conversations and prayers.  We often talked about how LOVE’s opportunities were inexhaustible. 

 

One of our favorite take-off points for prayer and conversation was this statement by M. B. Eddy: “I am Spirit.  Man, whose senses are spiritual, is my likeness.  He reflects the infinite understanding, for I am Infinity.  The beauty of holiness, the perfection of being, imperishable glory, -- all are Mine, for I am Truth.  I include and impart all bliss, for I am Love.”

 

We kept on insisting that MIND would reveal something rewarding for her either with her present employer or with a new one. 

 

            I wrote several prayerful, spiritual concepts for her which she made fine use of. One of them is this one:

 

“Unfathomable and preeminent LOVE-MIND subsumes and generates everything about us.  Mistakes, guilt and setbacks are temporary experiences because LOVE’s spiritual power catapults us toward new opportunities and success.  Our intelligence, talents and right motives are gifts from MIND and divine law makes sure that we can express them triumphantly.”

 

And so it came to be.  She was given a demanding assignment and she excelled at it.  Her career was now flying again. 

 

The propulsive thrust of MIND-LOVE shatters through any obstructions to our progress.