The Lord’s Prayer - Day 6

Yesterday we prayed to God, asking that the physical requirements of everyone on earth be met. Today we look to our spiritual needs. Here we have the crux of discipleship, the extent that we are able to forgive - not just to put on probation. We have moved from the retribution of the Old Testament to Christ's instruction that we should forgive and love those who have wronged us.

In praying "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us", we recognise that there can be no forgiveness without repentance. We also need to recognise that as the Prayer Book expresses it:
"..we have left undone the things that we ought to have done, and there is no health in us.." We need forgiveness for the misuse of our talents, possessions and energies. Our possessions are only on loan from God and we are trustees who must ensure that we can honourably account for their use. Our value in this world is that part which we devote to the benefit of others, not the size of our bank balance nor the yield of our investments. 

One of the ways in which we become aware of the love of God is by recognising how he forgives us. One of the ways in which we come to know and love God is by deliberately avoiding the sins which separate us from him. We have to make a balanced judgment as to where our selfishness ends and our obligations start.

In recent times, we in the United Kingdom, have come to recognise how our prejudices, both personal and institutional, discriminate against identifiable minorities. This discrimination is now seen as morally and economically wrong. We, as a society, now devote considerable resources and energy to combating it. The penalties imposed on people and firms who discriminate are considerable. As a society however, we are desperately prejudiced against people who live elsewhere. Our newspapers exhibit bigotry which is highly offensive to ‘foreigners’, particularly non caucasians from the third world. We cannot live comfortably but without sin in the 'comfortable' north while we, as a society, demonise would-be immigrants and denigrate or ignore the essential needs of the people inhabiting the greater part of our planet.

Whilst repentance is the first essential precondition of forgiveness and leads us towards comprehension of the love of God for us, there is a second precondition, namely that we will only be forgiven for our sins to the extent that we forgive others for the wrongs they have done to us. Here again it is Christ’s life that we should look to as the example of how much we are to forgive. We must listen to what he taught, as to the number of times Peter should forgive his brother:-
      "Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven" (St Matthew 18:  22)

We also should seek to follow his example on the Cross.  When he had just been lifted up into the position where he would die in agony, he said of those taking part in his execution:-
      "Then said Jesus, Father forgive them for they know not what they do" (St Luke 23 v 34)

God always wants to forgive, but if we harbour a grudge against anyone, we check the mystery of God's love. We need to forgive others as Jesus forgave. In doing so we further the Kingdom of Heaven by making the world a better place  for all to live in. 

Meditations
Think or say, "Forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us", several times to yourself slowly. Think on the meanings of these words. Where would you disagree with the above interpretation?

Look back at the experiences of your life. When and where do you feel or have felt most need for forgiveness and from whom? As young people we may have been self centred in ways that hurt those who loved us. Recognising this and saying sorry can be a very liberating experience.

Ask yourself ‘What should I do to atone for the sins of the society I am part of?’

In relation to my personal relationships, where do I feel or have I felt sinned against? How should I express my forgiveness?