One aspect of lament is recognizing that everyone has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Both victim and perpetrator are equal at the foot of the cross. This is a hard truth to acknowledge for those who have been victimized. The goal of repentance is not to blame the victim but rather to accept that brokenness is part of the human condition. The psalmist acknowledges that there are no godly persons left. Perhaps that is why Jesus instructed his disciples to ask for forgiveness and to forgive those who injured them in the Lord’s Prayer.
If we desire forgiveness when we have fallen short, we are called to forgive others. Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting the incident or waiving your right to restitution. Neither does it entail allowing yourself to be repeatedly abused. What forgiveness facilitates is a release from the anger and pain so that we can move on with our lives. As part of your healing process, write one thing where forgiveness is called for on a piece of paper. This can be a situation where someone could benefit from your forgiveness or where you need God’s forgiveness. Then tear the sheet of paper into tiny pieces or burn it as you pray for the ability to be forgiven and to forgive.
—Phoebe Roaf
Saints, share your personal REFLECTIONS here:
Lent Reflection – March 13th 2021
One aspect of lament is recognizing that everyone has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Both victim and perpetrator are equal at the foot of the cross. This is a hard truth to acknowledge for those who have been victimized. The goal of repentance is not to blame the victim but rather to accept that brokenness is part of the human condition. The psalmist acknowledges that there are no godly persons left. Perhaps that is why Jesus instructed his disciples to ask for forgiveness and to forgive those who injured them in the Lord’s Prayer.
If we desire forgiveness when we have fallen short, we are called to forgive others. Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting the incident or waiving your right to restitution. Neither does it entail allowing yourself to be repeatedly abused. What forgiveness facilitates is a release from the anger and pain so that we can move on with our lives. As part of your healing process, write one thing where forgiveness is called for on a piece of paper. This can be a situation where someone could benefit from your forgiveness or where you need God’s forgiveness. Then tear the sheet of paper into tiny pieces or burn it as you pray for the ability to be forgiven and to forgive.
—Phoebe Roaf
Saints, share your personal REFLECTIONS here: