A few nights ago I listened with horror and repulsion to the tapes ofthe interview with the nursery worker who has been abusing the childrenin her care, and as I looked at her picture and heard her responses Iwas challenged by the question could I ever forgive her if it were mychildren?
Jesus teaches clearly that we need to forgive, and everytime we pray the Lord's prayer we ask that we will be able to forgive,but I am still left with the question that, in certain circumstanceswould I be able to?

Joseph wept as he forgave the brothers whodiscarded him and sold him into slavery, the daughter of a man killedin the Brighton bombing was able to forgive the bomber, people can findit in their hearts amazing though it seems.

Those who commitcrimes and hurt others have to live with the consequences of theiractions and their punishment and judgement is not up to us, but inforgiving most people claim that it is for them a release, from thehatred and anger which can take hold and further destroy their lives.So perhaps forgiveness becomes  necessary for  the victim in order tofree them, I admire those who have done it, and pray that were I everto be in such circumstances, God would give me the same courage.