33

We have been told “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”. Another common translation is “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us”. The thought is preceded by “Thy will be done”,  and it is found, of course, in The Lord’s Prayer. We ought to forgive. We get the command, not just from the Sermon On The Mount, but from many sources. That is God’s will. Forgive.

But what does it mean? Sometimes we put forgive and forget together, maybe because they start the same way, but they don’t mean the same thing at all. Sometimes you can’t forget, and if the offence is big enough, you never will. And why forget anyway? It’s history. Forgive does not mean pretend it didn’t happen.

Look the word up. It does not mean, “don’t remember”. It means do not wish the offender any harm.  Forgive means no revenge.  Forgive means no justice. The offender should not get what she deserves. Leave that up to God.

I know of some instances involving terrible pain and suffering caused by acts that will never be forgotten, but they should be forgiven. Easy to say, of course, they didn’t happen to me, but Jesus is right. Do not wish that others should suffer. Instead, love them, however cruel and obnoxious they might seem to be, love them After all, Jesus loved and forgave you and me