Readings: Ex. 32:7-11, 13-14; 1 Tim. 1:12-17; Lk 15:1-32.
Forgiveness is A Choice
1. Today’s readings can be summarized simply as lost but found, strayed but returned, sin and forgiveness, estranged and reconciled. They addressed the idea of separation from God and ultimate reunion with Him. Without an intentional aspiration for forgiveness, there can never be a healthy relationship in our family, church, or society. We are away from our senses when we sin against one another, but when we return to our senses, we find ourselves, others, and God.
2. Today, Jesus speaks to a mixed crowd: the tax collectors and sinners and the grumbling Pharisees and scribes. He directly addressed those who disapprove of His fellowship ‘with the wrong kind of people.’ In the first reading, Moses intercedes on behalf of the people for their sin of apostasy. They had turned away from the living God and worshipped the Golden Calf. “‘Why, O Lord, should your wrath blaze up against your own people, whom you brought out of the Land of Egypt with such great power and with so strong a hand?’ So, the Lord relented in the punishment he had threatened to inflict on his people.” (Ex.32:13,14). Acknowledging God’s desire to pardon his people, Nehemiah the prophet said: “Yet in your great mercy you did not completely destroy them, and you did not forsake them, for you are a kind and merciful God.” (10:31). The Lord revealed himself to Moses as “A merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity, continuing his kindness for a thousand generations, and forgiving wickedness and crime and sin.” (Ex. 34:6-7). God forgives us always, not counting our sins. “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Is.1:18).
3. In the second reading, Paul is grateful that he was forgiven by Christ. “I was once a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man, but I have been mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief. Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (1Tim.1:13-14). Paul’s sin was grave, but the mercy of God saved him and offered him an opportunity to be an apostle to the gentiles and an ambassador of reconciliation. “God has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation. So, we are ambassadors for Christ. We implore you, on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2Cor. 5:18-20). For “Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom.5:20-21).
4. The Gospel presents us with the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. In the first two parables, there is no hint of sin or deliberate separation except that the sheep strayed, the coin was lost, and both were recovered. But there was joy and happiness in their recovery. The story of the lost son is one of the greatest stories ever told. This is the story of hatred and animosity, of an overindulging father who fulfilled the demands of an ungrateful son with a false sense of entitlement; it is a story of searching and finding, love and compassion, forgiveness and cold-heartedness, mercy, and reconciliation. It is the story of grace! Shakespeare wrote about the importance of mercy in his book ‘Merchant of Venice’ as he addressed Shylock through Portia, the judge: “The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.” This is the story of a merciful and forgiving father who forgave his son because he chose to. Despite the son’s sins and the unworthiness of his father’s forgiveness, he forgave him. Not because the son was entitled to or deserved it. No. But because not forgiving him was never an option. It is the story of joy and jubilation over the repentance of a recalcitrant son. There will be joy in heaven when a sinner returns to God. Margaret Moody demonstrates this joy in a Song ‘When a sinner comes as a sinner May’ “When a sinner comes, as a sinner may, there is joy, there is joy; When he turns to God in the Gospel way, there is joy, there is joy. There is joy among the angels, and their harps with music ring, when a sinner comes repenting, bending low before the King.”
5. The merciful father forgave and embraced his son (welcomes him back fully), put shoes on his feet (he is not a slave, but free), and gave him a ring (restored him to full status with authority to act in the name of the family). While the father forgave his younger son, his elder son did not forgive his brother. The father again made a move to reconcile the two brothers. He pleaded with the elder brother, but would he listen? Forgiveness is a choice. A choice against anger, hurt, bitterness, pride, suspicion, self-righteousness, and irrational need for revenge. It is a choice for liberation and freedom. A choice to free oneself from grudges against others. The elder brother would not forgive his brother but resented that his father did. He underestimated his father’s love. He did not understand that his father’s love could not be earned: it was pure grace. Will he join in the celebration? We may never know! But our attitude towards our enemies and our unwillingness to forgive them may indicate the brother’s mindset. These were the scribes and the Pharisees who were upset with Christ for associating with the tax collectors, prostitutes, and sinners – the wrong kind of people. There was no love lost between them and Christ!
6. This story teaches us that there is no perfect family. There must be understanding and forgiveness in all our associations. We must be prepared to sacrifice for peace in our families. Parents must initiate the task of keeping the family together and not prefer one child over others. Overpampering children and favoring one over others can give them a false sense of entitlement. Spare the rod and spoil the child is the saying parents must always keep in mind.
7. Let us pray that the God of forgiveness and mercy may teach us to be merciful. Jesus teaches us about forgiveness and prayer: “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” (Matt. 6:14-15). Again, we are told, “When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may, in turn, forgive you your transgressions.” (Mk. 11:25). If we have hurt anyone, let us ask for forgiveness and accept forgiveness when offered. Let us go to God for mercy, for He will never withhold forgiveness from us. If today, you listen to his voice harden, not your heart. Amen.
Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP
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