A Sunday Thought About Forgiveness to Start the First Week of Lent Off Right
Do you ever meditate on Our Lord's suffering and death? It's something we can do anytime, but it seems especially appropriate during this holy season of Lent. Let's spend a few minutes on this first Sunday of Lent with Our Lord on His cross, specifically that moment when He forgave His tormentors.
When Our Lord said, "Father forgive them...," as He hung on the cross, we might put ourselves at His feet and let His words penetrate deep into our hearts. We might remember that He's forgiving us. All of us. We're right there with the Romans and the Jewish leaders responsible for His death. Despite our culpability, He forgave us.
Now, don't stop with a mere intellectual grasp of this idea of Him forgiving us. Let's get personal now. You know how much you need that forgiveness, don't you? That's why you go to confession regularly. (You do, don't you?) You seek forgiveness for your sins. When the priest, acting in the place Our Lord Himself, gives you absolution, and you say your Act of Contrition, you accept that forgiveness. You take responsibility for what you've done when you say, "because I have offended Thee, my God," and promise to do your best to sin no more, specifically when you promise "to amend my life."
But wait. There's more. Let's now remember the words we say every day in our prayers: "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us"? It's right there in the Our Father: If He can forgive you you need to not only accept His forgiveness, but also forgive others who may have offended you. To stop when you're forgiven without forgiving others is self-centered. If nothing else, your meditation on Our Lord's suffering and death should motivate you to do all you can to get out of yourself, to stop being so self-centered, to turn, as He did, to those around you and - no matter what their offense - forgive.
Doesn't that make sense?
Here's something to help you forgive others. It's from a theatrical production of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Some of you may have read the novel, or perhaps seen one or more of the movies made based on the book. But perhaps you've never seen the theatrical production. My wife and I saw it during it's undeserved short-lived run on Broadway years ago. I thought it was wonderful, especially the song "Forgiveness" which is sung to Jane by her dying friend Helen. Jane has been greatly offended and hurt. While recognizing this, Jane's dear friend urges her to forgive those responsible. The lyrics of this song couldn't be more Christian. Nothing fancy; just simple and direct, just as Our Lord's words were simple and direct: "Father forgive them." I think they serve as a beautiful lesson and inspiration for us all to forgive. See if you agree.
When Our Lord said, "Father forgive them...," as He hung on the cross, we might put ourselves at His feet and let His words penetrate deep into our hearts. We might remember that He's forgiving us. All of us. We're right there with the Romans and the Jewish leaders responsible for His death. Despite our culpability, He forgave us.
Now, don't stop with a mere intellectual grasp of this idea of Him forgiving us. Let's get personal now. You know how much you need that forgiveness, don't you? That's why you go to confession regularly. (You do, don't you?) You seek forgiveness for your sins. When the priest, acting in the place Our Lord Himself, gives you absolution, and you say your Act of Contrition, you accept that forgiveness. You take responsibility for what you've done when you say, "because I have offended Thee, my God," and promise to do your best to sin no more, specifically when you promise "to amend my life."
But wait. There's more. Let's now remember the words we say every day in our prayers: "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us"? It's right there in the Our Father: If He can forgive you you need to not only accept His forgiveness, but also forgive others who may have offended you. To stop when you're forgiven without forgiving others is self-centered. If nothing else, your meditation on Our Lord's suffering and death should motivate you to do all you can to get out of yourself, to stop being so self-centered, to turn, as He did, to those around you and - no matter what their offense - forgive.
Doesn't that make sense?
Here's something to help you forgive others. It's from a theatrical production of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Some of you may have read the novel, or perhaps seen one or more of the movies made based on the book. But perhaps you've never seen the theatrical production. My wife and I saw it during it's undeserved short-lived run on Broadway years ago. I thought it was wonderful, especially the song "Forgiveness" which is sung to Jane by her dying friend Helen. Jane has been greatly offended and hurt. While recognizing this, Jane's dear friend urges her to forgive those responsible. The lyrics of this song couldn't be more Christian. Nothing fancy; just simple and direct, just as Our Lord's words were simple and direct: "Father forgive them." I think they serve as a beautiful lesson and inspiration for us all to forgive. See if you agree.
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