After many years of anticipation, I had the opportunity to see the Broadway Musical Hamilton<\/em> by Lin-Manuel Miranda in Jacksonville, Florida.\u00a0 I remember learning about Alexander Hamilton during my first semester of college in both a Political Science course and a 19th<\/sup> Century History of the United States class.\u00a0 I read some of the Federalist Papers<\/em>, learned of Hamilton\u2019s economic genius and about his fatal duel with Aaron Burr.\u00a0 For quite some time now I have been fascinated by the music of Hamilton<\/em> and how it makes history come alive.<\/p>\n The musical depicts a heart-broken Hamilton after his young son Philip is killed in a duel.\u00a0 His wife Eliza not only must cope with the unimaginable loss of her son, but also with her husband\u2019s unexpected infidelity.\u00a0 As she stands emotionless on centerstage, Hamilton pleads, \u201cI know I don\u2019t deserve you, but hear me out.\u00a0 I don\u2019t pretend to know the challenges we\u2019re facing, I know there\u2019s no replacing what we\u2019ve lost.\u00a0 Just let me stay here by your side that would be enough<\/em>.\u201d\u00a0 Eventually Eliza stretches out her hand and both husband and wife wander together the streets of New York City as the song summarizes the mending of the relationship, \u201cForgiveness, can you imagine?\u201d<\/p>\n I could not have imaged before watching the performance that this scene would be among the most powerful.\u00a0Not only due to the music, the acting, and the lighting, but through the sheer pain and the depths of humanity that are expressed.\u00a0 The character of Hamilton becomes real because it is possible to relate to him.\u00a0 At one point or another in our lives, we have implored either God or a loved one to forgive us for a terrible offense.\u00a0We too have experienced how Eliza stretches out her hand to Hamilton when we have been forgiven.\u00a0 To ask for forgiveness requires vulnerability \u2013 it is always a risk because there is the danger of rejection.\u00a0 Like Hamilton, remaining by the side of the person we have harmed would be enough, but we have the fortune of knowing that when we approach God the Father with a repentant heart, He not only allows us to remain at His side, but He embraces us as His beloved children.<\/p>\n Gratitude is the only reasonable response when receiving forgiveness.\u00a0 There is healing when the offended party gazes at us with love.\u00a0 In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the heart of the wayward son is converted only when he stands in the presence of his jubilant father.\u00a0 The magnanimity of the father is celebrated with a joyful party.\u00a0 I can only imagine the gratitude of the son.<\/p>\n At every Eucharist we give thanks to God the Father for the great love he has shown to us.\u00a0 For centuries humanity has said to God, \u201cjust let me stay here by your side, that would be enough,\u201d but God the Father has stretched out his hand toward us in mercy by sending Jesus into our midst.\u00a0 God does not remain by our side, but enters our entire being, making us holy like Himself.\u00a0 A grateful heart knows it has been forgiven much, and that God is responsible for that.<\/p>\n