Forgive always

We use many words every day. Mostly for communication with friends, colleagues and family. Mostly in good way but sometimes in divisive or unhelpful ways. This can hurt the person they are addressed to. The person can get upset or feel better, depending on the words. It even is worse when someone did something bad in our eyes. In that situation we want to have a certain punishment. For instance, when someone committed a crime. This is not because we are harsh people but because we want justice to be done to the victim. We call that “Poetic Justice”.

Forgiveness for all of us is a difficult concept, usually when we are wronged, what we want to do is retaliate, he or she did this to me, I’m going to repay them by doing this. The fire of anger enrages us, and if we are being honest it is highly unlikely that the first thing on our mind is repentance. Just like in the Jewish tradition we often want 'measure for measure', 'an eye for an eye'  or in our modern language “Tit for tat.” Poetic justice most often goes deeper than the results of misguided or selfish decisions. Just try to consider the results of our sinful human nature.  There are many good people who turning out to do bad things. In the process pay a very heavy price. These are the ones that live their lives with guilt but are also afraid that others act against them. When you live a life that is contrary on what God wants Anytime, we live lives that are counter to God’s will, we live “you will reap what you sow”. This is a kind of justice. The scriptures are filled with stories that show an “eye for an eye” mentality. Jacob deceives his father by portraying himself as Esau. Pharaoh decrees that all Israelite boys two years and under be drowned in the river Nile.  Later the Pharaoh suffers the same fate when the angel of death is sent by God, during the final plague to kill all the first born. Too often, we mistake the idea of “measure for measure,” for revenge but that is not what it means.  Measure for measure yields the natural consequences of our deeds.

St. Paul remembers us in his letter to the Romans that the judgement belongs to God ('the vengeance is mine'). We know from other occasions how unconditionally Jesus's love and forgiveness is but but today he goes even further. When Peter asks Jesus, “Lord how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive Him.  As many as seven times?”   Jesus responds with, “Not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”  Jesus is not merely referring to a number (490 times). What he is saying is that we should forgive an infinite amount of times! Jesus is trying to “correct” the disciples’ understanding of 'measure for measure'. Jesus doesn’t neglect the Jewish idea of 'measure for measure' but like many of His teachings, He re-interprets it.  He teaches them the proper way to understand it.  
Jesus teaches that only God can judge.  Our role is not to judge and punish, but to love, forgive and show mercy. Treat others as you want them to treat you.

Jesus’ parable today about forgiving sins and debts is a powerful one.  If we expect and yearn to be forgiven, we too must be willing to forgive. It is a difficult teaching. What can help us to do a spiritual bible reading and place ourselves in the story. How would we feel if God would be harsh to us because we didn’t use his gifts as we should have?  We don’t like the thought of being punished for misusing God’s gifts. We love the mercy God shows us when we ask for forgiveness. Luckily God is merciful and forgives those with a repentant heart. The forgiven man leaves and runs into someone indebted to him. Instead of showing the other person the same kind of mercy, he treats the man cruel and does not offer forgiveness. Jesus warns for the consequences of that behavior.
The price we could pay for refusing to forgive will be very great.  Jesus referred to the place of punishment as a place of “wailing and gnashing of teeth”.  “a place where there is darkness”. The price for refusing forgiveness brings us into a dark place.

Often, we say we forgive someone, but what actually happens is the relationship is not restored.  Instead of forgiving from the heart, we instead hold on to the hurt and we secretly wish revenge on that person. We want an eye for an eye, for the wrong they have committed.  But true forgiveness from the heart doesn’t do that. This kind of forgiveness let go of the hurt and wants to restore the relationship that has been damaged. This takes time and we have to ask God for help in the restoration process. But it is our desire to forgive from the heart and come to real reconciliation. Forgiveness from the heart is not easy but is necessary. ever easy, but it is what’s expected of us. Because we are coming to God and ask for forgiveness, we don’t ask for our fair share. We rather or will we instead plead for God’s mercy and forgiveness and grace?  Jesus knew how hard it is for us to carry out God’s command of mercy and forgiveness, measure for measure.  So, Jesus set aside His place in heaven and came to make the ultimate sacrifice.  Each time we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we’re silently asking God to help us to Forgive others. If you live the Lord’s prayer and pray it well then you will be able to live by it. We are thankful that we have been forgiven and go in the world and extend that same love and forgiveness to others. Amen.