Word to the Wise
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 - 1st Week of Lent - Tues
[Isa 55:10-11 and Matt 6:7-15]"Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us..." [Matthew]
We say these words from the "Our Father" thousands of times in our life. How good are we at forgiving? And, in case we may forget them, Jesus adds the admonition about not expecting forgiveness from God if we are unwilling to forgive others. This teaching is reinforced later on in Matthew in the parable of the Unforgiving Servant [18:21-35]. Earlier, in the Sermon on the Mount, we are told to be reconciled with our neighbor before offering in worship! [5:23-24].
In deciding how we are going to observe the holy season of Lent, we might consider the penitential act of forgiving those who may have hurt us OR asking forgiveness from a neighbor whom we may have hurt. We may attend the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but forgiveness goes beyond the sacrament we receive to the necessity that WE must forgive. The parable of the Unforgiving Servant is a blunt reminder. [Matt. 18:21-35]
In preaching parish missions in the past, I have used an Examination of Conscience that focuses not on individual sins, but on those whom we need to forgive and from whom we need to ask forgiveness. This addresses Jesus' teaching directly. It is a difficult task but if we are looking for something penitential to do, this may be the best option. AMEN