good speech by the governor general, page-27

I agree with Banjar that extending forgeness is far better for
our emotional, spiritual, mental and physical health
than being consumed by hatred, pride, greed
or a burning desire for vengeance.

But it's also part of Australia's nominally Christian
culture to take a regular inventory of our
sins of commission or omission and
(the important part) to make
amends to the victims of
our misdeeds.

In the concluding part of his 'Sorry' speech
today Kevin Rudd, in referring to words
(without fitting and fulsome amends)
as a 'sounding gong', was quoting
from an Epistle from St Paul:

"If I have all the eloquence of men or of angels, but
speak without love, I am simply a gong booming
or a cymbal clashing. If I have the gift of prophecy,
understanding all the mysteries there are, and
knowing everything, and if I have faith in all
its fullness, to move mountains, but
without love, then I am nothing at all.

"If I give away all that I possess, piece by piece,
and if I even let them take my body to burn it,
but am without love, it will do me
no good whatever.

"Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous;
love is never boastful or conceited; it is never
rude or selfish; it does not take
offence, and is not resentful.

"Love takes no pleasure in other people's
sins but delights in the truth; it is always
ready to excuse, to trust, to hope,
and to endure whatever comes.

"Love does not come to an end."