Forgiveness

Jesus prayed: forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass

against us. In the novel "The Great Hunger," a newcomer comes to a farm

community. He refuses all friendship with his neighbors and puts out the

no trespassing sign. One day a little child from the town climbs

underneath his fence to pet his dog. The vicious animal leaps on her and

kills her.

Hostility spreads throughout the community. When the newcomer comes to

town no one will speak to him. Clerks refuse to wait on him. Spring comes

and the merchants refuse to sell him seed. Finally, the father of the girl

who was killed comes over and sows his field. This act of kindness is too

much for the insufferable newcomer. "Why-you of all people?" he asks. The

father responds: To keep God alive in my heart.