Lent: With One VoiceSample

A CRY FROM THE CROSS 1

We hate people telling us to forgive. What do they know about my situation, my pain or years of suffering? It is not that we are unwilling to forgive – we just want some justice to be done.

My friend relates to me a time in his life that he felt exactly like this. The injustice was crushing him. He stood before God and man proclaiming his innocence, laying bare his case, but to no avail. God was silent. To make the matter worse, the guilty party was further honoured, while the victim was vilified.

What saved him was a quiet sense of conviction. Deep down in his heart he was convinced that God knew exactly what had happened. In the end, he let go, declaring that ‘In God alone I rest my case.’ He chose to forgive. Forgiveness frees us from the bitter demand of restitution. It frees our hearts and restores our joy. It leaves the offender in God’s hands, allowing God the judge to act as He pleases.

FOR REFLECTION
• Is there somebody in your life who has caused you so much pain that you are not willing to forgive yet? Can you recount the incident before God and pray for strength to forgive?
• Is there someone that you have offended but you have refused to ask for forgiveness?

PRAYER
Father of Mercy and Grace, I lay bare before You my pain and suffering. Give me Your divine strength so that I can forgive. Grant me obedience so that I will forgive. Search my heart and see if there is someone from whom I should seek forgiveness. Give me peace as I obey.