Weekly Meditation March 30, 2009

Most of us pray the "Our Father" daily. It is the "Lord's Prayer", the one Jesus himself taught us. One request we make of God in this prayer is related to, and in some ways conditioned on, our own conduct. "...forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." How easy to make this prayer at times without much thought on our part of the implications for us. So quick can we be to ask forgiveness yet slow and even unwilling to forgive others.

Lent is a time for "turning away from sin and being faithful to the gospel." Jesus came to call sinners to repentance. We are being called to turn away from our sins and accept God's forgiveness. We are also "called" to continue the mission of Jesus to "call sinners" to a new life of gospel faithfulness. Just as Jesus forgives, he expects his disciples to forgive others.

"I give you a new commandment: love one another. Such as my love has been for you, so must your love be for each other. This is how all will know you are my disciples: your love for one another."

(John 13:34-35)

Forgiveness is so closely dependent on the kind of love Jesus has. May we grow in that kind of love during these last few days of Lent.

Bishop William R. Houck
President Emeritus