[and forgive us our
trespasses,
as
we forgive those who trespass against us] (Mt. 6:12)
In the course of a
conversation about the “Our Father”, my interlocutor said that when she prayed
the “Our Father” she would always skip the phrase about forgiveness. Her
rationale was that she did not want God to forgive her trespasses as she
forgave those who trespassed against her because she never forgave
others. So for her to pray this phrase of the “Our Father” essentially meant
that God would not forgive her.
She rightly observed
that forgiveness is really difficult especially when we’ve been severely hurt
by another—maybe someone unfairly judged us, a member of our family, a friend
of ours, etc. Unfortunately though my interlocutor failed to realize that
true forgiveness is only made possible by God’s grace. Forgiveness is a choice
on our part, but it is also simultaneously begun, sustained, and completed by
God’s grace.
Who haven’t you
forgiven? Are you harboring a grudge against someone? Be patient with
yourself because forgiveness does not happen immediately, but is a process that
takes time. Forgiveness releases us from the anger that eats us up
inside. Forgiveness is not a feeling, but a choice to treat with charity
those who have hurt us.
When we forgive:
1.) We must acknowledge
that we’ve been hurt. Do not ignore it. The hurt is real.
2.) Pray for the grace
to forgive. Maybe we even need to pray for the desire for the desire to
forgive.
3.) Forgive. Remember
it’s a choice and NOT a feeling.
As Christians we must
forgive and also remember that God helps us to do so. His grace and our choice
to forgive give us confidence to pray the entire “Our Father”, even the phrase
about forgiveness.
Who do you need to
forgive? Take some time today and begin the process of forgiveness.
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