These are some of my thoughts after reading Alison's "Forgiveness, fellowship and justice."
I searched in Ocean for "forgiveness," and everything I found in the words of Baha'u'llah about forgiveness was about seeking forgiveness from God. I didn't find anything about forgiveness in our relationships with each other.
I tried to remember what Baha'u'llah says about responding to people who have wronged us, and I thought of these words from Abdu'l Baha:
"Beware, beware, lest any of you seek vengeance, even against one who is thirsting for your blood. Beware, beware, lest ye offend the feelings of another, even though he be an evil-doer, and he wish you ill."
"Should other peoples and nations be unfaithful to you show your fidelity unto them, should they be unjust toward you show justice towards them, should they keep aloof from you attract them to yourself, should they show their enmity be friendly towards them, should they poison your lives sweeten their souls, should they inflict a wound upon you be a salve to their sores. Such are the attributes of the sincere! Such are the attributes of the truthful."
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The following two paragraphs are to me the definitive statement from Baha'u'llah on how we should react if we are wronged. They have been a huge influence on me.
"[5] If you wish to travel in various lands, then spread the dawning lights of your Lord throughout those realms. Think upon the handiwork of your Lord which you see, that you may be of those who consider. Adorn yourself with My character, in such wise that should anyone treat you unjustly you would take no heed of him, nor oppose him. Leave him to the judgment of your Lord, the Powerful, Omnipotent and Self-Subsisting. Be at all times a wronged one, for this is one of My attributes, though none but the sincere are aware of it. Verily, the sighs of patience uttered by one wronged are more precious to God than any other deed, did you but know. Therefore, be patient in the face of whatever befalls you, and set your trust in your Lord God in all your affairs. He, verily, suffices you against all the harm that any created thing can wreak toward you, and preserves you in the shelter of His Cause and the mighty fortress of His guardianship. There is no God but Him. His are the worlds of creation and command and all seek His aid.
[6] Should anyone slander you, you must not retaliate against him in kind lest you become as he is. Turn aside from him and set your face toward the holy tabernacle in this exalted and sacred canopy. Be among men as a sweet-scented knoll, that the fragrance of sanctity may be wafted among them. In such wise, you might succeed in attracting them to the court of the holy and Beloved One. Should you find a helper among the friends of God, seek his company at eventide and dawn, throughout the months and years. In all matters, emulate God, your Succorer. Walk among men with His dignity and peace, and teach them the Cause of their Lord to the extent that they are able to hear it."
Surah of Blood
http://whoisbahaullah.com/explore/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=36
Thank you, Alison. Just what I was looking for!
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