(Senior Warden’s Corner, October Newsletter, Emmanuel Espiscopal Church)
One of my favorite Gospels was a few weeks ago. How many times should we forgive?
“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”
— Matthew 18:21–22 (KJV)
The quote of “seventy times seven” is not an exact number of times, but a countless number of times—our forgiveness should not stop for those who sincerely ask for it.
But the Gospel does not end there, nor should it. Christ adds on another task to the person who has been forgiven– he/she must pay it forward. This person must be as kind, empathetic and forgiving as the original forgiver. Christ gives us the benevolent burden that if we are forgiven, we must show mercies to others — not once, not twice, but for as many times it is requested.
In the month of September, our Jewish Brethren just celebrated Yom Kippur, also known as the “Day of Atonement”. During this time, repentance, prayer, confession and reconciliation with other people are practiced. Atonement for sins against God is enacted, but wrongs committed against another person require direct action. This event involves self-examination, confession, repairing relationships, and making a sincere commitment to live in harmony with one’s brothers and sisters.
I like that. Imagine if we chose a day to settle all differences, misunderstandings, conceit, jealousy and so forth with our family and friends.
But it must stay constant, vibrant, not one or two times, but seventy times seven.
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