If the Gospel of "turn the other cheek" ever feels like it demands too much... When bitterness and anger seep into our hearts, love is the answer to the attack. Forgiveness disarms anger; just look at the Bishop in
Les Mis by Victor Hugo.
In in a time of great turmoil, between the French Revolution and the lesser known revolution in 1842, life was hard, people lived in poverty, corrupt law officers abounded. Released after 19 years in prison, hardened convict Jean Valjean attempts to make his way in the world.
He first meets a bishop who takes him in and allows him to stay despite being a convict.
That is striking love! Imagine today if a ex-con knocked on your door. Would you feed him or let him stay the night? Well the bishop does. Score one for charity (aka agape).
Despite the compassion shown to him, Valjean wakes up in the night, steals the silverware (it's really silver) of the household and makes off. In the morning, the police find him and bring him back to the Bishop. Valjean lies and tells the police that the Bishop gave him the silverware.
When the police bring Valjean back, he stares at the ground in shame before the Bishop. Does the Bishop get angry? Or thank the police? No. The bishop looks at them sternly and says (paraphrase), "Release this man. I indeed gave him the silverware. Valjean, why did you not take the candlesticks also." He hands the convict the silver candlesticks to take on his way as well. The police leave, and Valjean stands dumbfounded before the Bishop's unmerited act of mercy.
Showing undeserved mercy? Score two for following Christ.
"Why?" asks Valjean. The Bishop responds (to quote the musical): "By the witness of the martyrs. By the Passion and the Blood: God has raised you out of darkness. I have bought your soul for God." And Valjean acknowledges the gift and the takes the opportunity to turn his life around (which leads to the rest of the plot).
To the Bishop: Giving away all the silver you own: costs a fortune.
Giving a broken man a second chance and a new take on life: priceless.
Grand-slam for love.
As often as I think about this story, it amazes me more and more. With selfless disregard for himself, the Bishop plumbs the bottomless depth of forgiveness and love for the sake of Valjean. As he says in the musical, "By the witness of the martyrs, by the Passion and the Blood" (the suffering and death of Jesus Christ), God has raised man out of darkness. Good cleanses the hate from Valjean's heart. Good gives life.
And is the Bishop miserable without his silver? Far from it! He knows that by God working in him, he has helped show grace to Valjean, who then has the chance to respond, and thankfully he does. Living by example is the best form of evangelism.
This is a lesson for all of us. With anger and coming so easily into our hearts when we are hurt, it's hard to respond with love. But the Bishop doesn't get angry. Rather, when asked for his jacket, he gives the thief his shirt as well. And all are better for it.
Abundant love is amazing in that the more we give away, the more we get.
Do you think it's possible to live the bishop in the story? Has anyone (besides God) ever given you an amazing second chance? What other examples are there of Christ's redeeming love shining through people's lives?
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Comments (13)
i love this book. one of my favourites.
i've never witnessed this kind of love in real life though.
I've seen this kind of love shown again and again...by people in my church...for me and for others both in and outside my church.
One quick story comes to mind. A woman in my church heard a sermon by my pastor to give money frivolously in Jesus name for fun. So the next day she decides to pay attention to what God might say to her regarding that. Her boss tells her that she wants to have a procedure done, but can't afford it...it was like $300. The woman senses a nudge from God and decides to offer to pay for her boss' procedure. Her boss is like "What...? Why?" The woman explains the little experiment she is doing based on what she'd heard in church. The woman's boss burst into tears...and said that she'd just prayed the night before to God to show her that He exists or she would abandon Him forever. The woman in church thought that was a really fun outcome to her experiment...and well worth the $300.
btw- Love, love LOVE this story...the movie with Liam Nesson is great. I cry at this point in the movie every time I watch it!!
though agreed that this is touching, this line really troubles me:
"I have bought your soul for God."In my understanding of the Bible, only Jesus can claim that line.@taliesinaria@xanga - Yes, well as I recall it's not a line from the book but it does match the rhythm and rhyme of the musical well. ;) I do get your point though.
It's funny, my daughter is a Les Miz fanatic and we were just discussing this scene recently. It is hands down my favorite scene from the musical and one I try to keep in my head at all times, although like all sinners I fail more than I succeed. I think the danger is in thinking that our acts of mercy and forgiveness need to be large and dramatic like the Bishop's when for most of us we are called to small acts of mercy and forgiveness each and every day and those are the ones we should focus on. If we cannot forgive the driver who cut us off in the intersection how could we possibly forgive the thief?
@taliesinaria@xanga - no need to take it so literaly
I think the bishop ment that physical hardship was tempting Valjean to steal and now that the Bishop gave him silver Valjean has no excuse to lead a sinful life
@taliesinaria@xanga -
I think it's like St. Paul calling dibs on the guy--he puts himself out to bring people to Christ, and he's saying they owe him--not like a cult leader, but like a good friend who steps up at his own expense for someone.
For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. (1 Cor 4:15)
"For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." (2 Cor 11:2)
You owe to me even your own self besides. (Philemon 1:19)
This is a great book, great musical...and there are symbols of Christ all over it.
I forgive the world around me for being a giant frigid vacuum. Everyone despises love that can be verified and gets sucked into false relationships of empty or no promises. Sorry world, but no. You get my forgiveness after you come to my side of the fence. Not while you're despising me or assuming nonsense. I don't judge much but how stupid people are for perpetuating the behavior and thought processes that make themselves and their offspring suffer so immensely. It may not be your fault when someone pushes it on you. But it is your fault if you jump into it and blame your parents for being too strict or "hating" you for being stupid.
Damn it. So many people demonstrate themselves being incapable of thinking past one second into the future and wonder why someone who might love them seems so dull. Maybe they're dumbfounded about how shortsighted you are and can't think of anything to say. Wild people are retarded no matter how smart they are. When they show sadness or depression that is solid undeniable proof of their stupidity.
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