“Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. “And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” Luke 17:3-4
Abba, oh great God our Father, you have shown us the perfect example of how to forgive. You came to earth not us a punisher but a redeemer. In the severity of pain and shame and in the front of those who brutally mistreated you, you wholeheartedly spoken the words, “Father, forgive them. For they do not know what they do!” Lord, forgiveness is not easy. But you have done it, Father. You have forgiven us, though we are not worthy to be forgiven. Lord, you commanded us to be forgiving. Correct our wrong notion that if we do not forgive those who wronged us, they remain as our captives. In fact, Lord, we are the ones who are liberated from the captivity of hate and brokenness if we forgive. Let us forgive not by our mouth but in our hearts. Give us the comfort to ease our heavy heart with and let love and understanding abound. Help us to let go of pain and pride. Help us to love and to care in the likeness of your pure compassion and everlasting love. Amen.
