Tuesday April 9

Matthew 18:21-35

Dick Carlson

Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.

Words matter.

We had a neighbor move next door to us for five years who was very difficult. Once, in my role of annually collecting money from each of the neighbors to have our alley plowed of snow, we had a heated exchange. He was very verbally aggressive with questioning my handling of making arrangements and the way the plowing was done. We ended this encounter by walking away from each other. I was very angry and upset.

I pondered what had happened.  A short time later I brought a container of homemade soup to give him. I knocked on his door.  There was no answer. I went back. He answered. When I offered the soup to him, he said “no.” I left.

About a year later when he was moving I found the moment to wish him well, we shook hands, and he said “thanks.” He went on with his life and I have gone with mine. I asked God to forgive me for my part in this relationship and I have forgiven him.

Forgiveness brings life. Holding onto grudges and wounds of guilt, shame, judging, blaming and broken relationships brings death. God comes to us with love and forgiveness in Jesus Christ to give us life.  We are called to pass this on.

Questions for Reflection:

• How does it feel to be accepted unconditionally for who you are?

• How does it feel to bear the burdens of broken relationships with others?

Prayer:

God, help me to confess my sin, receive your forgiveness, and then be a vessel, a conduit, of this forgiveness with others. Amen.