If I cannot forgive a man who has wronged me, how will I be forgiven? Can I stand blameless on my own merits? And if not, then how much more severely will I be judged for my failings if I severely judge another?

The music replicated in the sound file and the lyrics enscribed to your right weave a message that cuts to the core of the inner questionings of countless individuals: Where do I fit in? How am I unique? What is there for me to accomplish in my life? What place is there for me?

I am trying to apply these questions to the young man I see before me. I do not know what will be decided in the courts, but I see a boy whose life has been fundamentally altered no matter what ensues.

And it grieves me.

What is this boy's place in his world? Where will he fit in? How can he be unique? What is there for him to accomplish? Who can answer these questions for this boy?

As the Bible story goes, the first boy, Cain, killed his brother, Abel, in an act of jealous rage. He was immediately overcome by what he'd done. He was humiliated by shame and guilt. His actions were selfish, he knew that now - but there was absolutely nothing he could do to undo his crime. He would have to live with it for the rest of his life.

God came to the defence of Cain. While he did not undo the killing by resurrecting Abel, he took action to protect Cain from the vengeance of others. He placed his mark on Cain, dictating that no man should lay a hand on him in revenge. He gave to Cain his protection.

Why this protection for Cain? After all, he was a killer? The answer is perhaps straightforward: Cain was indeed suffering for his crime - suffering in his own conscience. He wore the blood on his hands everywhere. But those of us who single him out for condemnation and vengeance forget the magnitude of our own crimes against one another. Some crimes seem worse than others, but who are we to say what is the greater sin?

I see a young man with a whole life ahead of him. He too has dreams. He too has potential. He too has a need for fulfilment. He too wants to find his special place in this world. We've all done things for which we'd like to be forgiven. Would we deny him the forgiveness we want for ourselves?

Please - do not forget me.

When you feel the sunlight
Fade into the cold night
Don't know where to turn
You don't know where to turn
And all the dreams you're dreaming
Seem to lose their meaning
Let me in your world
Let me in your world
All you need is someone you can hold
Don't be sad
You're not alone

(CHORUS)
I will be here for you
Somewhere in the night
Somewhere in the night
I'll shine a light for you
Somewhere in the night
I'll be standing by
I will be here for you

In this world of strangers
Of cold unfriendly faces
There's someone you can trust
Someone you can trust
I will be your shelter
I'll give you my shoulder
Just reach out for my love
Reach out for my love
Call my name
And my heart will hear
I'll be there
There's nothing to fear

(CHORUS)