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“How do I forgive the people who have wronged me? Including my own mother?” 

These were the questions that Rosendo Diaz, a 38-year old Filipino working in Doha, Qatar, asked Bro. Eli Soriano in the Worldwide Bible Exposition on September 19, 2019.

Diaz said that when he was only seven years old, he and his siblings were left to the sole custody of their father when their mother left the family to be with another man.

He recounted that since then, he only got to see her one more time, after his father passed away in 2009. He was already 28 by then.

Growing up without a maternal figure throughout most of his life, he frequently questioned why his mother did what she did.

“It is a rare situation that a mother leaves her children,” he added.

So when the opportunity came to find the answer he has been longing to hear since his childhood days, he asked The Old Path program host for the Bible’s advice.

Finding Forgiveness

 “There are things that are supernatural and out of the ordinary,” Bro. Eli began, agreeing with what Diaz said about the uniqueness of his situation.

“Even with animals: a cat cares for her kittens, a hen cares for her chicks. That’s what is natural. But there are things that are beyond the natural, and perhaps your mother is one of those,” Bro. Eli expounded.

But what the Bible teaches is charity, the international televangelist added. “Charity, even for one’s enemies, as it is written in Matthew 5:44.”

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” (King James Version)

“Jesus Christ teaches us to love our enemies,” Bro. Eli said.

Those who do not have love for his or her own family is an evil person, according to Bro. Eli citing I Timothy 5:8.

“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” (King James Version)

But even if Rosendo’s mother were as such, Bro. Eli suggested that he can try to love her as an enemy instead. 

“When you cannot grow to love her as a mother, try to love her as an enemy. And when you learn to love your enemy, you can then forgive her,” Bro. Eli elaborated, mentioning what is said in Luke 6:35.

“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” (King James Version)

“To the enemies, God has allocated forgiveness. My advice to you, brother, considering that your mother did abandon you; she still fed you when you were little: Pray for your mother, brother. Don’t hold grudges because it is necessary that you forgive. If you don’t forgive, the Lord will also not forgive you.”

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” – Matthew 6:14-15 (King James Version)

“This is the principle that is in the Holy Scriptures,” Bro. Eli concluded.

MCGI’s Bible Expositions

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Since 1994, when MCGI’s Bible Exposition first began, Bro. Eli, alongside MCGI’s Assistant Overall Servant Bro. Daniel Razon, has given answers to varied questions of faith and spirituality of guests hailing from different parts of the world.

From usual queries such as what is the true religion to more personal matters such as regarding forgiveness and depression, Bible Expositions hosted by MCGI continue to be regularly held worldwide in order to provide more biblical answers to religious curiosities. 

“I am very thankful to Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel because there are people like them who are relentless in teaching the Bible.” Rosendo Diaz shared his gratitude for the biblical advice he got from Bro. Eli.

“They don’t discriminate, whether you’re poor, rich, or you’re a member of other religious denominations, you are welcome [in Church events],” he added.

Written by: Sis. Elizabeth Borromeo