Last week, it was a delight to lead a workshop at the annual conference of the Fellowship of Christian Students in Israel (FCSI) and engage with around 80 bright minds. The workshop was originally planned for October 8 but was rescheduled to last Saturday in Nazareth due to the war. The session focused on the theme of forgiveness and its connections to justice and reconciliation. We explored these concepts from a theological perspective and discussed their transformative influence in navigating complex socio-political contexts. Throughout the workshop, we highlighted examples of successful post-conflict situations.
Our message was clear: Forgiveness isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s the heartbeat of our faith. Far from contradicting justice, it stands hand in hand with it. Forgiveness is part of the larger strategy to overcome evil with good, an essential element in the journey toward reconciliation, especially amid violent political conflicts.
The key takeaway for our young participants? Forgiveness doesn’t look backward in victimhood or revenge but moves forward toward justice. It serves as the driving force that activates truth and justice, paving the way for reconciliation.
Through our workshops, we seek to empower the next generation with the tools they need to shape a brighter future.