May all that is unforgiven in you, be released.
Don’t you love that line? “May all that is unforgiven in you, be released.” The word “unforgiven” gives me a sad feeling. I hate to think of anything being unforgiven. Jesus forgave the people who were killing him so I don’t think we have to worry about anything unforgiven by God. My hunch is that if there’s anything unforgiven in you or me, it’s we who have not forgiven ourselves.
Do you feel like you have unforgiven things in you? I have had nights lying in bed condemning myself, usually for something I’ve said. I’m a blurter (not sure that’s a real word). It is quite common for me to blurt out what pops into my head, no filter, usually in a group, often in a professional setting. Great, right? Such a delightful character trait. I have a friend who said, “I tend to be outspoken in groups.” Yes, that would be me.
The words “be realeased” are wonderful aren’t they? When I am rebuking myself, I am holding tight to whatever I said or did, holding it in, looking at it, focusing on it. I can feel it in my body. My stomach tightens, my teeth clench. With God’s forgiveness, and my own along with it, that thing I am holding tight is released. My stomach relaxes, my teeth unclench, the thing turns into a bubble, floating away.
The line “May all that is unforgiven in you, be released” comes from a blessing written by John O’Donohue. He wrote a book full of them. Blessings give me a warm, happy feeling — even this one with the sad word “unforgiven.” I think of stories in the Bible when people gave others blessings. I think of sweet goodbyes when someone says, “May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back.” I think of the end of many church services when the pastor gives the benediction — which means blessing, “May the Lord bless you and keep you; May the Lord make His face shine upon you; May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” Sometimes they say, “…May the Lord make his face shine upon you — and smile at you…”
To Come Home to Yourself
May all that is unforgiven in you,
Be released.
May your fears yield
Their deepest tranquilities.
May all that is unlived in you,
Blossom into a future,
Graced with love.
-- John O’Donohue, from his book, To Bless the Space Between (US) / Benedictus (Europe)
When someone says a blessing, each of those “May…” sentences is a prayer. “May God make it so…” Often when someone gives a blessing they put their hands on the person they’re blessing. I imagine the love of God flowing from one person to the other through that bridge of their arms.
If you have anything in you that you think is unforgiven, God forgives you. Forgive yourself. May all that is unforgiven in you, be released.
If you are afraid about something, remember God is with you, walking beside you, holding you. Lean on him and feel the deepest tranquilities.
May God bless every moment of your future, making it blossom like a beautiful flower, filled with God’s love.
And may you come home to yourself.
What can I pray about for you? What can I ask God to “make it so”?