Where Forgiveness Begins

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This morning, we explore where forgiveness truly begins, and how heaven gives us a clue. Drawing from Secrets of Heaven, we reflect on Swedenborg’s insight that angels see not just our actions but our intentions, even when we falter: “They observe how we swerve from good aims to bad ones and from bad aims to good ones” (Secrets of Heaven §2284). I believe that’s where forgiveness starts, not in perfection, but in recognizing the honest effort behind our missteps. Most of us are well-intentioned, even when we drop the ball. And like the angels, we can practice seeing the best in one another. Seeing through the false self that people often defend, and instead honoring the soul that’s trying to grow. That includes how we see others, and how we treat ourselves. We’re not called to deliver perfect outcomes, just to keep offering our best intentions on God’s behalf.