As We Forgive

Today’s readings.

The line “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us,” from the Our Father prayer sticks out to me every time I utter it.  Because, here, Jesus is revealing the shape of a heart that can receive mercy. I once heard a priest describe this petition as a mirror: we ask for mercy in the very measure we’re willing to live it. Indeed!

Isaiah tells us that God’s word goes forth like rain and does not return empty; it is meant to soften the ground. But soil that refuses to yield remains hard even under steady rain. God‘s mercy is abundant like steady rain. The question is whether we are permitting it to soften the grounds of our hearts—to loosen resentment, to releasing grievances, and to make us capable of praying these words honestly. Lent is a good time to allow God‘s forgiveness to re-form us into people who forgive.

Today’s practice - Prayer:

Pray the Our Father slowly sometime today. When you reach “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us,” pause. Bring one specific person to mind and say to the Lord: “Lord, I release this to you. Teach me to forgive as you forgive me.”