What would you do if you were jumped by three big guys and had no friends with you? How would it feel to get up without any of your things and no one there to console you? Let me share with you.

It is difficult to recall what happened, what I felt, and where I was beaten, but what I cannot forget is the indifference and apathy from the people who stood by and watched.

I remember getting up and looking around in a daze trying to find help, and people stared at me, acting as if I was a homeless person waking up from a daily nap.

I eventually found some security officers at Aloha Tower and they called the police to make a report.

I would not wish this experience on anyone, but I realize that violence happens every day. I was so stressed from the experience that I had to miss a week of school at Chaminade University and see a counselor. I shared with friends and family, and took time to meditate and pray upon the experience.

I was not trying to forget the night of violence, but I wanted to grow a yearning inside to forgive the folks who beat me and supported this violence.

Today, I am able to firmly say that I forgive those three guys. With forgiveness does not come forgetfulness, but surely Jesus' teaching to "love thy enemy" guided me to forgive.

If Jesus could be nailed to a cross and still love humanity, then I can forgive three guys who violated me. Furthermore, I can travel anywhere in the world and be physically alone, but spiritually I will always be connected to God and know that family and friends support my journey.

Yes, violence, hatred, systematic racism and discrimination exist, but there is no fear. Therefore, I will do whatever God tells me to do to foster and unite humanity on this sacred earth.

Lastly, I don't believe that this experience happened because God wanted it to happen, but rather because it is a true part of the reality of this world brought about by our own sin and indifference. Go to Darfur, Sudan, and you'll find genocide. Go to the Middle East and you'll find hatred of the Western world. Go to the west side of O'ahu and you'll find houseless Hawaiians on the beach because their land was stolen.

For peace and the kingdom of God to be brought down to earth in this lifetime, we need to work for it and not sit back and live comfortably with indifference. I'm going to take the shackles and cuffs off my hands now so I can let my experience flow from my heart, which might help you see my experience as just one obstacle to living out the Gospel.

Amen to all those who love unconditionally. God will grant you the grace and peace in this day for those who are truly peacemakers.

Michael Schulz, a Chaminade junior, is a visiting student from the University of Dayton in Ohio and attends Mass at the Mystical Rose Chapel on campus. Expressions of Faith is a column that welcomes submissions from pastors, priests, lay workers and other leaders in faith and spirituality. E-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com or call 525-8035. Articles submitted to The Advertiser may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.