Thad Murrah - Saturday, March 21

Week 5 - Matthew 18:23-35
Saturday, March 21, 2015
A Reflection on Forgiveness from Thad Murrah

When I was asked to write a devotion for Lent, I thought, “Great.  I’ll get a passage that is complex and full of hidden meaning.”  Then I saw the passage and realized it was the parable of the unforgiving servant.  I read it, and then I thought, “Really?  That’s it?  Where’s the mystique?  Where is the hidden message I can reveal to the congregation?  This is obvious stuff:  You have been forgiven by God; therefore, it is right that you should forgive others.  This is plain, old, Kindness 101 stuff.  What additional thought can I add to a message that is so plainly straightforward?”

But then I realized that if this is so obvious, then why do I not practice it every day in my own life?  Why does something so apparent seem to be something I easily forget? Why can’t I remember the immeasurable forgiveness God has given me and simply forgive others for their relatively minor infractions toward me? God has done so much for me. I’ve sinned countless times, and Jesus still died for me. He took the consequences for my sin upon himself, and now my countless sins are forgiven. Because Jesus did this for me, the least I can do is to forgive others.

Lord, I ask that you give me the strength to forgive. I ask that you place on my heart a constant reminder of your immense grace.  Please remind me of the severity of my sin against you and the forgiveness you have granted me.  Today, I call on the powers of forgiveness to others, the hope that heals and wipes away resentment. I am ready to forgive and heal old wounds. Amen.

Ruth Kallio-Mielke - Friday, March 20

Week 5 - Matthew 18:23-35
Friday, March 20, 2015
A Reflection on Forgiveness from Ruth Kallio-Mielke

We need to remember that we all sin and that only by the grace of God are we washed clean of our sins. Obsessing about something we did wrong or seeking revenge against someone who sins against us is a vicious cycle of sin and will only cause more hurt. We need to end the cycle of sin by forgiving ourselves and others just like God forgives us.

People (including me) do things that are not right. It is hard to forgive ourselves and remember that just because we did something wrong, we aren’t bad people, just ordinary sinners that God forgives.

The scripture story of forgiveness speaks to me to remind me that I need to be loving, patient and forgiving with myself and all those I interact with. I often find myself losing patience with myself, as well as with people and things around me. God forgives us and with this forgiveness we can move on to do great things. If we don’t accept his forgiveness, we will wallow in regret and waste time and energy on self-pity and think bad thoughts about people around us. If we accept forgiveness and move forward in peace, we can spread that peace to all we interact with. This has a huge snowball effect to create a better, more peaceful environment wherever we go.

Thank you, God, for reminding us that you created us just as you want us. When we make mistakes, help us to accept your forgiveness with grace and grant that same forgiveness to all the people around us. Give us the strength to project a calm, peaceful approach to the world you blessed us with. In Your Name we pray. Amen.

Laura DeWitt - March 19

Week 5 - Matthew 18:23-35
Thursday, March 19, 2015
A Reflection on Forgiveness from Laura DeWitt

In reading this passage, my mind immediately travels to two simple thoughts. We love because He first loved us. And we are called to forgive because He first forgave us. Through this scripture, God presents us with a very clear example of mercy. He immediately follows this amazing gesture for that day and age with an equally clear example of an unmerciful being. It becomes so easy to see just how ungrateful and seemingly unaware we often are toward God's amazing grace. We welcome our forgiveness in His eyes, but are quick to hold grudges and seek revenge against others. We find peace in our gift of appearing blameless before God, but aren't willing to show this same loving mercy and compassion toward others, even those we claim to love and hold most dear.

While much of this story is no longer directly applicable today, there is still much to be gained from the text. Unconditional love demands unconditional forgiveness. That much persists throughout time. Jesus Christ died for me on the cross. The least I can do is live for him. Part of this involves forgiving others. No matter what.

The good news is, that God continues to offer us opportunities daily, even moment by moment, to learn about and practice forgiveness. He blesses us with forgiveness from those we hurt and offend. He offers us opportunities to forgive those who hurt and offend us. I don't think he expects us to get it all right all at once. Forgiveness is a lifelong practice requiring constant realignment of head and heart. And if we turn to God for guidance in prayer, the art of both asking for and bestowing forgiveness on others will likely be a lot easier.

Thank you, Lord, for your boundless forgiveness this day and always. Help me to awaken each morning with an open heart and an open mind, ready to forgive others as you have forgiven your children throughout the ages. Amen.

Conor Williams - March 18

Week 5 - Matthew 18:23-35
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
A Reflection on Forgiveness from Conor Williams

When I was a young man, I lived in Sydney, Australia, for a few years, far away from home and family. As is the way with young people, I was experimenting with life and pushing different boundaries. I got caught up in a pattern of destructive behavior which was unhealthy for me, but I couldn’t let go of it. It robbed the joy from my life and became a heavy burden to carry around. At lunch time at work I started going to mass at a local Jesuit church in North Sydney near my office. After a number of visits, the priest announced confession would be available. I resolved to go.

So one evening after work I went up to the chapel to attend confession. I was surprised to see that people went up to the side of the altar and knelt down by the priest to say their confession rather than entering a confessional box, which was what I was used to. I approached the altar and knelt in front of the priest. He invited me to confess my sins and ask for God’s forgiveness, which I did. And then the priest parted from the script and asked me, “Do you love Jesus?” I said, “I think so.” He asked me again, and I replied in the same way, saying, “I think so.” He asked me a third time, “Do you love Jesus?” but this time I replied, “I do.” He pronounced my sins forgiven and gave me penance, and I headed back to my pew.

I was blessed with a profound sense of relief after the confession as if the weight of the world was lifted off my shoulders. And I felt joy again and a deep sense of gratefulness to God.

As a student of the Bible, I have come to see that God is ever merciful to those who seek His mercy including even murderers, adulterers and thieves. It is this grace that gives me great comfort and immense hope for the redemption of this broken world.

Lord, may we cherish your forgiveness and grace and share them boldly to nurture the beloved community.

Pr. Marilyn Miller - March 17

Week 4 - Luke 23:32-43
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
A Reflection on Forgiveness from Pr. Marilyn Miller

Up until the end of His journey, Jesus was offering forgiveness to those who loved him as well as those who hurt him.  We are called to do the same.  But, we often have a hard time forgiving those who hurt us and sometimes even those who love us.  Those who have worked at this for a while understand that forgiveness is for both the forgiver and the forgiven, not just for the one who offended or wounded.   If you can’t forgive others, the wounding of your soul happens over and over again, until you release it.  And if you don’t release it, it eats you up inside and can make you a bitter and angry person.  This bitterness and anger can block your blessings for a season or a lifetime.

Many of you know Reformation has had a pretty challenging experience with the sale of our church home and then leasing it for a short period of time until we could relocate.  We have been wounded over and over again throughout this experience.  As the pastor of this congregation, I have had to surrender my pain over and over again, just to be present with those who perpetrated these wounds.  This was quite difficult, but as a leader, I know it is important that I follow God’s lead in dealing with harm in a way that has integrity and liberation for me, no matter what the other party does. 

In my mind, I thought about all kinds of terrible punishments and said all kinds of terrible things.  I had to ask God for forgiveness over and over again.  God has reassured me of this forgiveness.  Therefore, I am called to offer nothing less.  Thank God, that even until our last day, like the thief on the cross, we can ask for forgiveness and offer it to others as well.

Dear God, thank you for the forgiveness of my sins, known and unknown. Forgive me for my unwillingness to forgive others.  Transform my heart to be like Christ’s, so I can be forgiving, too.  Amen