February 27/First Friday of Lent
If you, O LORD, mark iniquities, LORD, who can stand?
But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered. ~ Psalm 130.3-4
For me, forgiveness is one of the hardest imperatives of faith. I know that holding onto anger or resentment harms me more than it affects the perceived offender, and I know, too, that refusing to forgive is to practice self-righteousness and even to play God. But sometimes it is difficult to let go of these wrongs — small offenses like someone cutting in front of me in traffic or speaking brusquely in response to a question, or larger ones like being disappointed by a friend or treated unfairly by a colleague. It is much more satisfying to stack up the grudges, step on to my high horse, and assume an attitude of moral superiority than it is to stay humble and ask myself why I expect to be treated like a queen anyway. Today’s psalm verses hold up God’s forgivingness as an object lesson for all of us, reminding us how miraculously blessed we are that our Creator doesn’t hold a grudge. God does not keep track of our iniquities in a ledger of assets and liabilities. Our God is the essence of forgiveness. The Hebrew formulation is compact, simple, and direct, reading literally: “For with you, forgiveness.” The psalmist’s gratitude for God’s mercy blossoms out of the verse. Likewise, we are called to incorporate an ethos of mercy into our thoughts and actions, allowing it to govern our responses to slights and hurts of all sizes. We must forgive sincerely, completely, and wholeheartedly, not holding back, not making a false peace, and not congratulating ourselves on our magnanimity. In humility and love, we must simply embody and extend to others the complete forgiveness that God gives us. Even to that driver who cut in front of me in traffic yesterday. . .
Compassionate and merciful Lord, I thank you this day that you do not give me what I deserve, and ask that you help me forgive others with all my heart. Amen.
For today’s readings, click here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022726.cfm
To hear the Oxford Camerata sing “Out of the deep” by Orlando Gibbons, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVGkas2hKPQ
