On Forgiveness Sunday, the last of the pre-Lenten Sundays, we contemplate our separation from God, our expulsion from paradise. The services for this day continually resound this theme as recorded in Matthew 6:14-21. We find ourselves cast out of paradise, sitting outside in darkness and apart from the God who is the source of Life and Light. We are weeping. We desire forgiveness. We seek mercy. And so we must ourselves forgive and be merciful.
If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15
The whole of Great Lent, as the whole of life, is a movement toward resurrection in paradise. We may enter in only if God forgives us our sins – and God will forgive us if we forgive others. With forgiveness not only in mind, but in action, we enter the season of Great Lent.
If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15
The whole of Great Lent, as the whole of life, is a movement toward resurrection in paradise. We may enter in only if God forgives us our sins – and God will forgive us if we forgive others. With forgiveness not only in mind, but in action, we enter the season of Great Lent.
