Forgiveness

Matthew 6 : 7 - 15

I've lived long enough to realize that forgiveness is not easy and that it is really and truly a process - unless by some divine miracle, one can overcome all the feelings of pain and anger in an instant (and that might be true of some people). But for others it is often a slow and step wise process, yet not linear because we even going backwards at some points only to advance again, by God's grace.

I think very often we focus on how we 'should' be able to let go when we are the victim of another's wrongdoing. And how we 'should' because God expects it of us. More recently, I realize that trying too hard can become a self-defeating process. It may be timely also to approach the issue from another perspective. Usually, when we are wronged, the pain and anger come from our response to 'something being taken away from us' - some injustice has been done - to our honor, to our name, to our loved ones, to our possessions etc. It may be useful to take stock of the things that have not been taken away - that we still possess, gifts of God, whether material or spiritual that we have been given because of the God who loves us....... this helps us see things in perspective again, so that the loss does not take over and cloud everything. There is usually - one thing, even if not more, that we can be grateful to God for.......and holding this to out hearts, the desire for revenge will gradually soften.

We forgive because our sins have been forgiven, true enough, and we can forgive because no one whatever they have done to us - can take away much of what God has given us - first of all, our beloved 'selfhood'. We ask for God's grace to recall these gifts such that we can in time offer the gift of forgiveness. Amen.