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There is a story shared by Anthony de Mello which talks about the relationship between God and each person in terms of a string. When we sin, that is when we are separated from God. It is as if the string were cut. When there is forgiveness, it is as though the string were tied back together. After forgiveness occurs and the knot is tied, the string is shorter. We are closer to God.

Forgiveness does bring us closer – to ourselves, to others, and to God. Forgiveness involves a process of self examination, taking responsibility for our wrongs, seeking the forgiveness needed, and offering the forgiveness needed. In this process, we are vulnerable. It requires honesty that can be difficult. Working something out with someone else, with ourselves, or with God can involve deep connection and understanding.

Forgiveness brings us together. We become more intimate with another because of the honesty and vulnerability that is needed when pursing forgiveness. Maybe what holds us back from pursuing forgiveness is our fear of intimacy. With true selves. With one another. And with God.

Lectionary readings for the day:

Genesis 15:1-6, 12-18
Psalm 22:23-31
Romans 3:21-31

Prayer: May we be willing to live more deeply pursuing forgiveness and the intimacy that comes with it. Amen.

Though I did not watch the Oscars on Sunday evening, I have certainly heard the repercussions of the remarks made by Legend about incarceration in the US and slavery. Apparently, it can be reasonably verified that the US is the most incarcerated country in the world. We may be topped by China but the numbers cannot be verified. So, Legend makes a creditable claim. In addition, he mentions that there are more black men in jail than there were black men in slavery in 1850. And, apparently, that, too, is verifiable. Racial injustice and inequities continue to persist. Some even think the situation is getting worse.

This is a difficult reality to come to terms with as Black History month draws to a close. We can send a person to the moon in a decade but after more than a century, we have not managed to create a prejudice-free society. We are still haunted by racism and other prejudices.

In the main, I don’t think people set out to be racist. They don’t wake up one morning and decide, “I’ll have it in for black/white/Asian/Jewish/gay people today.” It comes with culture. It can be subtle. It is institutional as well as individual and we know that it is hard to change people and even harder to change institutions. Racism can be like the cancerous tumor growing inside you that you don’t even realize is there until it produces dire consequences.

In this Lenten season, as we think about forgiveness and mercy, we are reminded that that is what is needed to heal racism and that we have been given the power to do so.

Lectionary readings for the day:

Psalm 77
Proverbs 30:1-9
Matthew 4:1-11

Prayer: May we embrace the grace and forgiveness within us to heal the evil of racism and oppression. Amen.

Lent is a time to remember that it is in our character to make mistakes and to fall short. We don’t always do what is good and true. We have been given free will and we often err.

But Lent is also a time to remember that we have been made in the image of a God of incredible mercy, grace, and forgiveness. We have been given the divine capacity for forgiveness – of ourselves and of others. And we need it!

Without forgiveness, the pressure of wrong doing – the regrets, the remorse, the anger, the resentment – just builds and builds and builds. And that can lead to doing more things that we need to be forgiven for. We can cause more harm to ourselves and to others and to the world. Where is the release? The relief? The peace?

In the divine scheme, we are given the capacity to forgive as an accompaniment to our free will. Freewill and forgiveness go together.

This Lenten season is a time to think about where forgiveness is needed in our lives. Where have we been let down? How have we disappointed ourselves? What harm has been done to us? Yes, Lent is definitely a time for forgiveness: Forgiveness of ourselves and of others.

Lectionary readings for the day:

Psalm 77
Job 5:8-27
1 Peter 3:8-18a

Prayer: May we accept the gift of forgiveness praying for the highest good for those we have wronged and who have wronged us. Amen.

I have a Newfoundland dog named Fergus. He is docile, loyal, and obedient. It doesn’t matter what the circumstances are, he is always the same. You can depend on it. He is constant. Steadfast. That’s the only way he can be. Only one time in seven years has he departed from his nature and character. We were in a situation indoors that was extremely crowded and very loud. And he just pulled out of his collar and headed to the door to get out. That’s the only time he has not been completely “himself.”

As humans, our character and behavior are more complex. We can’t be counted on to have these constant character traits. We are all a mix of good and bad and it’s always a toss up which side is going to triumph in any given circumstance. The story of Adam and Eve is a way of explaining that humans are this way. It is simply our nature. And we cannot overcome it. Think of how someone you would least expect does something very bad and completely out of character. We all know that this happens. We also know that sometimes people we don’t expect much of surprise us with their good will or generosity. Who would have thought it? We are always a mix. That is our nature. That is the character of our species.

We can never be totally, unquestionably good and pure. And we are never completely bad, immoral, and beyond redemption.

Lent is a time to honestly accept our full humanity and the full humanity of others.

Lectionary readings for the day:

Psalm 77
Job 4:1-21
Ephesians 2:1-10

Prayer: May we never give up on ourselves or one another. With eyes open to our potential for evil and harm, may we cultivate the good that is within every human being. Amen.