We live in a culture that’s often angry and unforgiving. The cynicism and lack of compassion so characteristic of our times are painfully evident. As the late Cardinal Francis George aptly observed, contemporary culture “permits everything and forgives nothing.” And it’s too easy for us to be swept into this culture of finger-pointing, defamation, slander, and retaliation. What’s more, harsh attitudes and rhetoric are often not reserved only for public figures; unforgiving attitudes and words can easily spill over into one’s personal and professional relationships.
The crazy part is that today’s angry and unforgiving culture isn’t making people happy — quite the contrary. People suffer from anxiety, loneliness, and isolation as never before. Each of us is only a tweet away from public denunciation and loss of reputation. Why do we keep doing this to ourselves?
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When we pray, “as we forgive those who trespass against us,” I see us asking (among other things) to be free from this comeuppance culture. Here we are not necessarily asking God to protect us from it. We are asking for the grace not to join in. More than that, we need His grace to forgive those who have harmed us, whether in public or private, by malicious and false speech, treachery and betrayal, or other forms of inhumane behavior.
This request of Our Father lines up well with the rest of the Bible, as you might expect. Jesus said, “… love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mt 5:44). St. Paul echoes the Lord’s words, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if your enemy is thirsty, give him something to drink. …” (Rom 12:20). Of course, Our Savior also taught us that, “For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you” (Mt 7:2).
When we forgive others, we acknowledge that we are like them. That we also have sinned. Let us not be like the people who condemned the woman caught in adultery. Jesus admonished the men saying, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7).
An “eye for an eye” makes much better sense because it is like balancing the ledger books. And it feels a lot better, too — perhaps because it satisfies our desire for revenge. But playing tit for tat doesn’t balance our offenses before God. The Book of Life is not a ledger of rights vs. wrongs but a story of forgiveness and hope.
It might seem impossible to forgive someone who has wronged us “seventy times seven times.” Because it feels a lot like we are letting the offender off the hook, but actually, we are leaving ourselves off the hook, releasing ourselves from the anger, frustration, disappointment, and superiority that often accompany our judgments.
Perhaps those “who trespass against us” are doing us a favor. They are giving us a clue of how our sinfulness offends God. It’s not that we take anything away from Him. Instead, in sinning, we are disregarding and betraying his friendship. This reminds me of the enormity of God’s gift of grace and mercy. But unless we forgive those who have offended us, we are in grave danger of taking God’s forgiveness for granted.
Thank you for all of you who have been faithful in prayer. We are all blessed through your efforts. How can we pray for you? Contact us and let us know.
Please Pray: Father in heaven, hear our confession and forgive us. We cast ourselves on your eternal mercy through Jesus Christ. Take away our guilt and renew us.
Please Pray For: Chris, and all those who struggle to forgive someone.
Please Pray: Which classroom “wins our support” in their fall raffle in two weeks. Pray also that we would be faithful throughout the school year in our support and encouragement to teacher, aides, students and families.
Please Pray For: the lost who are near us
Please Pray For: Kathy Duitsman, who has breast cancer.
Please Pray For: Lela Izzo, who has a broken hip.
Please Pray For: those who serve in this place as they enthusiastically tackle diverse ministries such as the altar guild, food pantry and serving our local school.
Please Pray For: Julie who is battling brain cancer and 4 additional tumors.
Please Pray For: for those who are facing financial difficulties. Father, Guide them in their search for employment and grant them the wisdom and resources they need to overcome their challenges.”
Please Pray For: for William Isso, that God would Strengthen him.
Please Thank God For: The health of all the other congregations that worship in our facilities.
Please Pray For: Tom Sheba who is on a ventilator.
Please Pray For: Joe and his struggles with addiction
Please Pray For: Those who struggle with housing needs.
Please Pray For: all those who are out of work.