I live in a society where the values of the people are different from mine. Ways of doing things, ideas, beliefs and religion are other things which I think contribute to my difficulty in surviving  in this society. A part of my life I  live in isolation, though I do not consider myself anti-social. It is in isolation  that I find  time and quiet to read, do my daily reflections and prayers. It’s this peace and quiet that gives me a complete perspective of what my life is about, of what I need to do to improve myself and how and what ways I can be of service to others. This trait of my mine is treated by people around me as being snobbish and anti-social . I could hear nasty words about me circulating  around  the neighborhood where I live that I’m some kind of a freak . This , just because I don’t join gossip clubs, or these weekly meetings of movie stars fan clubs which in my opinion are an absolute waste of time.  Actually , the  activities that my social life revolves around are aerobics, cooking classes, garden design and many others, not including my job as a graduate school lecturer. Another thing that I hate, really hate in this culture and society is the selfishness of the people around for parking space. I live in a townhouse, this means a habitat with space for one car only. Unfortunately, social status in this society is measured by the number of cars one has in his/her possession. One townhouse can have an average of four cars. Thus, a problem with parking. I have neighbors and friends . . .  turned mortal enemies because of parking problems. Extra cars would be parked in  neighbors gates. In case the car owner has some devilish thoughts in his head, he would lock the gear and disappear for days ! It would really strain your brain how in God’s name can we make the Word of God work in this society. Or integrating some Chinese rituals in the rites of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass ? Well, this is common here. Since, I need to be here , I have to be more patient and forgiving. Forgiving those people who circulates nasty words about me, just because I’m different. Forgiving even more those neighbors  who cursed me ,    every so often , because I won’t let them park their car in my driveway. Forgiving everyone who hates me because of my religion, my ideas and my beliefs.  Though, forgiving is easy to say, I must admit , easier said than done. It is very human to do so. Feeling revenge and hatred at the sight of our enemies does not constitute forgiveness.

When do we say that absolute forgiveness is given to those who have wronged  us ? How do we measure the extent of the forgiveness  we  give our enemies ? How do we rid our hearts of these evil thoughts toward others ?

A cleric would remind me of the word’s of Jesus, the greatest commandment, the commandment of Love. “Love God with all you heart, with all your mind and with all your strength. Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”

“Forgive your enemies and those who have wronged you and your sins will be forgiven.”

I lift my spirit in prayer, my God help me and grant me the grace to forgive those who wronged me. I abandon myself, my soul and my entire family to your protection. Amen.

Pope John I inherited the Arian heresy, which denied  the divinity of Christ. Italy had been ruled  for 30 years by an emperor who espoused the heresy, though he treated the empire’s Catholics with toleration. His policy changed at about the time the young John was elected Pope.

When the eastern emperor began imposing severe measures on the Arians of his area, the western emperor forced John to head a delegation to the East to soften the measures against the heretics. Little is known of the manner or outcome of the negotiations -  designed to secure continued  toleration of Catholics in the West.

When John returned to Rome, he found that the emperor had begun to suspect his friendship with his eastern rival.

On his way home, John was imprisoned when he reached Ravenna because the emperor suspected a conspiracy  against his throne. Shortly after his imprisonment, John died , apparently from the treatment he had received.