15 March 2019 - forgiving peace, more than forgetting

Today's Readings

(Audio)

Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.

We are called, so far as possible, to be at peace with all people (see Romans 12:18). We are called to seek forgiveness from others whom we have wronged and to be ready to reconcile with others who have wronged us. 

Jesus came to make things right between God and humanity. We took offense at him but he sought to overcome it even though he was not at fault. Even as we crucified him he still prayed that we would be forgiven.

When Jesus taught us to pray he told us to ask for forgiveness just as we forgive others. This forgiveness is serious business. We can't be like the ungrateful servant whose master forgives him an unpayable debt and who nevertheless, even after having experienced that forgiveness, still refuses to show mercy to his fellow servants.

Forgiveness is important to Jesus. He wants to unite all of us in himself. Any unforgiveness creates barriers to his love flowing from him to us and between us and our brothers and sisters.

But if the wicked, turning from the wickedness he has committed,
does what is right and just,
he shall preserve his life;
since he has turned away from all the sins that he committed, 
he shall surely live, he shall not die.

We need to turn back to the LORD and away from the willfulness that holds onto grudges. There may be those who have offended us whom we have not yet forgiven. We should strive to forgive them "from the heart" (see Matthew 18:35), not simply emotionally, but in terms of how loving we act toward them. There may also be those whom we have offended, whether intentionally, justifiably, or not, with whom we have not sought to cultivate peace. Let us seek that peace! 

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! (see Psalm 133:1).

Ultimately, we all need to learn to rely on the LORD's mercy together. We are all forgiven debts we cannot pay. We who have been shown such mercy must now show mercy in our turn.

For with the LORD is kindness
and with him is plenteous redemption;
And he will redeem Israel
from all their iniquities.