Forgiveness & Reconciliation: Parishioner Reflections on the Jubilee

I work through anger and hurt to forgiveness and reconciliation...

The "give" part of forgiveness jumps out at me. Jesus is God’s gift to us, and He extends a life-long invitation to come and live in God’s love. With this invitation comes a responsibility to forgive and to seek reconciliation with self, God, and others. But forgiveness is more than just saying words. Residual hurt and anger must continually be worked through.

Psalm 130 (3-4) says that I am not alone in my need/cry of forgiveness. It beckons me to turn to God. Matthew (18:21-35) says that there can be no limit to my willingness to forgive and Colossians (3:12-14) tells me to clothe myself in compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. From these scriptures, I see that there is a plan for us. I must be faithful to a journey of God’s design.

God’s "words" lead and clothe me as I work through anger and hurt to forgiveness and reconciliation. In words such as love, consoler, reconciler, refuge, etc., I experience God’s transforming love. I read and respond to God’s word and he transforms my life. I share in the history of mankind, a communal salvation. God is love, and forgiveness is the fabric of God’s universe.

Prayer:
O Gracious One, as individuals and in community let us say "yes" to your invitation to the arduous path of forgiveness. The experience of walking the path of forgiveness and reconciliation will be different for each of us. Feed and clothe us according to our needs. Help us to prayerfully follow Jesus in weaving love through our lives in the unity of our Christian faith. In the spirit of the Jubilee year, we pray in Jesus' name.

Deborah C. Britt

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