Sunday, August 11, 2024

As we continue to read from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, I feel like I could just reprint last week’s reflection, in which I talked about overcoming human emotions and reactions, learning more and more to live as Christ did.  Paul continues his admonition, saying “all bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice.  And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.”  Quite a challenge!
 
I would like to focus on the last point Paul makes: “forgive one another.”  This is absolutely central to imitating Christ, who on the cross said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”  There are actually two selfish reasons for forgiving others, no matter what they do.
 
First, every time we pray the Our Father, we ask to be forgiven as we forgive others.  We all need to be forgiven.  It is in our long-term best interest to forgive, so that we can be in good standing with God.
 
Second, forgiving, in the sense of letting go of negative feels and thoughts, gives us peace.  If I am mad at you and stewing about something that happened, I am unhappy.  You could be having a great day, while I am punishing myself by holding on to negative emotions.  It is in my best interest to let go and forgive: I will be happier!  No ulcers!
 
It is important to remember that forgiving does not mean I have to accept what someone has done or be friends with them.  It means I don’t harm them; I do my best to repair the situation, if reasonable and possible; I wish them well; and I move on in peace.  My way of wishing them well is to pray for them.
 
My friends, I repeat Paul’s word, “forgive one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.”  What a gift: God wants to forgive us!  Let’s make sure we are living in peace now and preparing for eternity by letting go and forgiving.  After all, we often pray, “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive others.”  God bless.
 
Church sign: I’m too grateful to be hateful.