Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
Proverbs 17:9
In all these years, I honestly can not remember reading or reflecting on this verse. And it’s a tough one if you are not thinking it through in its context.
The word “covers” is not meant to be a cover-up, as in a criminal sense, but rather it’s married to love. In other words, covering is an act of love that puts the offense aside and forgives the offender. But if you don’t and keep dropping a guilt trip on the offender, Wisdom tells us this will destroy the relationship.
Thus, the old adage, “Forgive and forget.” Or in Jersey-speak:
Fuhgeddaboudit!
On this first Friday in Lent, this fits well with the understanding of the purpose of the cross!
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