2025-12-25
I'm not qualified to comment on this, as I didn't have to contend with such evil in my childhood.
But I trust Cyntha's viewpoint.
But I do have a short homily to put forward for consideration ... which I hope may be helpful.
I think that to be OK with others we must first be OK with our as-yet-imperfect selves, and realise that (quite contrary to the teachings of the so-called Christian Churches that hold that we are all dreadful sinners and have to earn forgiveness of "God" - or perhaps actually of the Church on the Church's terms - sale of "indulgences" anyone? - "By their fruits shall ye know them" ... How do we know if "God" has forgiven us anyway? We need some clarity here).
Back to the point - we must first be OK with our as-yet-imperfect selves, and we likewise have to be OK with others and their imperfections. We are all where we are, but at different stages on life's journey. We should consider and treat everyone the same as we treat ourselves.
Then we can move forward on a common basis without the undue guilt (so beloved of the Churches) and work on our imperfections as best we can - even if only one at a time. What's done is done - unless reparation is practical, just recognise the fact, correct the attitude that led to it, and move on. Jacob Marley we should not become - if we do, it is by our own choice! Learn to let go.
But wouldn't that be to forgive ourselves?! Shock Horror! But unless we are little children, we are adults. We should discard the notions of "sin" and "guilt" with which the Churches trick us into the helplessness that comes from the implied demand for perfection.
Instant perfection is not given to us - but our direction of travel is within our own gift.
"Judge not that thou be not judged" - (NB: "Judge not others ... " is clearly implied here!) but do be aware of your own imperfections and work on them, one at a time as necessary. If only everyone took this to heart, the world would be a better place.
(But what about people who are unfit to be let out? I'll leave that as an exercise for my readers)
So "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof" thus applies to one's own evils, as well the evils of others! Come to terms with them, not as sins to be punished, but as attitudes to be corrected.
To those that say that I am in conflict with Christian teachings and must be mistaken (or worse!), I say that my homily is consistent with Christ's (reported) teachings, and the Creator gave every one of us a magnificent organ between our ears that it would be the height of discourtesy not to use to the fullest extent.
What other defence do we have against the dark powers?
Perfection is probably not something that we humans can achieve in this world. But the direction of travel is achievable.
