RBWords

     These words immediately follow the all too familiar prayer that we Catholics commonly call "the Our Father."  They should make us backtrack to see what we pray for when we pray as Jesus taught us.  They should make us very attentive to the words that say, "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us."  This can bring us back, then, to a question.  How well do I forgive?  I am asking God to forgive me as I forgive others.  What is my track record on forgiveness?

     I know I have mentioned this before, but my experience in pastoral ministry and itinerant preaching tells me it is worth repeating.  In parish missions and retreats, I use an Examination of Conscience that focuses not on individual actions but on the people in our lives who need our forgiveness or whom we should ask for forgiveness.  At the end of the examination there is one last request for help to forgive "that one person who has hurt me the most - that one person whom I swore I would never forgive!"  The Sacrament of Reconciliation that follows inevitably brings out those unforgiven people.

     Jesus tells us in this same Gospel According to Matthew that "if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother or sister has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift."  [Matt. 5:23-24].  He also offers the parable of the Unforgiving Servant" [Matt. 18:21-35].  All of this should give us pause when we pray for God's forgiveness.  Part of that prayer should be the ability on our own part to forgive others.  AMEN