3rd Sunday of Lent

Presence

God is always calling to me, in a still, small voice. Can I hear it? “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10 NRSVue)

Scripture Reading

Matthew 6:9-15 NRSVue

“Pray, then, in this way:

Our Father in heaven, may your name be revered as holy.

May your kingdom come. May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.

“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Reflection

When we say we can’t forgive, what we really mean is that we won’t forgive. Forgiveness is a decision. It’s a choice we make. Sure, sometimes it can be difficult to forgive someone for something they did or didn’t do. It can be harder to forgive ourselves. But the truth is that if I decide not to forgive others, then how can I expect others to forgive me?  For those times I have chosen to forgive I am grateful. I pray that forgiveness comes more easily to me in the future. Today, as I reflect on outstanding hurts and grievances, I choose one person to forgive, even if that person is me.  

Closing Prayer

Lord, sometimes it can feel very hard to forgive. But I remember that forgiveness isn’t a feeling but an act of the will. I choose to forgive in order to be free, because by not forgiving, the only person held captive is myself.  Lord, help me to forgive, as you forgive me. Bring me your healing, bring me your mercy, and help me to extend that same mercy to others, and to myself.  Amen.