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.
