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At the end of one’s life, it’s customary to reflect on relationships. Loved ones can be celebrated and those who have caused harm can be restored through forgiveness. For many, this celebration and restoration is a very important part of the dying experience.
Evidently, it wasn’t for Ramon Maria Narvaez.
To say that Narvaez was a powerful man would be an understatement. In his native Spain, he held multiple governmental offices and military positions and carried himself with a determined – almost ruthless – rigidity in each one.
As a general in the army, any hint of insurrection was put down violently, and censorship of the press was stringently enforced. In 1837, he even revised the nation’s Constitution! In May of 1844 he became the nation’s 26th Prime Minister and the oppression he inflicted on others only grew. Before the end of that same year, 214 political prisoners were put to death. Many more were sentenced on insufficient evidence – or outright false evidence – to long years of imprisonment.
But in April of 1868, Narvaez was in Madrid, in office…and in poor health. A Catholic priest visited him to issue last rites. During the course of the conversation, the clergyman asked Narvaez if he had forgiven his enemies.
Narvaez bitterly responded, “I have no enemies. I have had them all shot.”
Well, that’s one way to deal with enemies.
Jesus urgently taught another:
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matthew 6:14-15)
Forgive or don’t forgive…it’s your call.
Resource’s Origin:
Famous Last Words by Ray Robinson. Workman Publishing, 2003, Page 152.
Topics Illustrated Include:
Cruel
Death
Enemy
Forgiveness
Jesus’ Teachings
Kill
Military
Oppression
Politicians
Priest
Restoration
(Resource cataloged by David R Smith)
