Word to the Wise
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 - 1st Week of Lent - Tues
[Isa 55:10-11 and Matt 6:7-15]"[A]nd forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.....If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions." [Matthew]
The Gospel According to Matthew makes forgiveness a priority. The words quoted above are familiar to us [at least the part from "the Lord's Prayer," but the lines that follow that prayer may not be. Earlier in the Sermon on the Mount, we find these words: "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." [Matt. 5:23-24] Later on, Matthew gives us a process of reconciliation [18:15-17] and then the parable of the Unforgiving Servant [18:21-35].
Reconciliation is a highly desirable goal, as Jesus makes clear. But forgiveness must come first in the process. To that end, when I preach a parish mission or penance service, I use the parable of the Unforgiving Servant and I follow it with an examination of conscience that focuses on forgiveness instead of the usual list of possible sins often handed out at these services.
If Lent is a time to repent and do penance, I think it would be hard to find a more difficult penitential act than to forgive someone who has hurt me. Perhaps just as difficult may be asking someone for forgiveness when I know I have hurt them! We often "give up" a treasured pleasure for Lent, but this act involves only ourselves and not our neighbor. Perhaps, in addition to the "giving up," we might try "forgiving and asking to be forgiven." If this leads to reconciliation, our Lenten observance will be truly fruitful! AMEN