Saturday, March 6, 2021
Saturday in the Second Week of Lent
Lisa Carey
The Collect of the Day
Grant, most merciful Lord, to your faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Readings: Micah 7:14–15,18–20, Luke 15:11–32 & Psalm 103:1–4(5–8)9–12
Forgiveness is such a tricky concept for many of us mere mortals. The Gospel today (Luke 15:11–32) is of a son who demands his share of his father’s land only to squander and abuse it. When he has nothing left and no food to eat, the son returns to his father and begs for forgiveness. The father rejoices and grants forgiveness without hesitation. As a parent myself this seems like a no-brainer! Love of your child is unconditional as is God’s love for us, his children. When a child asks for forgiveness it shall be celebrated and granted.
I struggle with forgiveness when it’s NOT requested. When the acts are egregious, and the person shows no remorse. I’ve listened intently to Father Rob’s sermons in the past on this topic and desperately tried to internalize the message. I understand the Christian philosophy - that ultimately forgiving others helps you find peace for yourself. But how can you forgive someone who has purposefully hurt others emotionally, mentally and/or physically and then shows no remorse or regret? The events of the past several months and even years have worn this concept raw for me. On the one hand we’ve all witnessed incredible acts of compassion, empathy and seen heroes who are literally putting the lives of their fellow man ahead of their own. On the other hand, we’ve also all witnessed the incredible hatred, bigoty, racism and apathy of others. It has certainly tested my faith as I struggle to not only understand these actions but to also figure out how to co-exist with these people in God’s name.
How blessed are we that our Lord loves us so much and is willing and able to forgive us our many, many sins?! I pray to God to help me forgive and to find peace with those that have hurt others. I can only hope, as a mere mortal, that the Lord will grant me a fraction of the grace that he bestows on humanity every moment of every day.
We have a sign in our kitchen which reminds me “Life is fragile ~ Handle with prayer!”