Today we focus on the beauty of forgiveness. Yet, forgiveness is one of the most challenging things to do for many people. It is difficult for most people to seek forgiveness. In many cases, it is also hard for many to forgive.
“The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?”
He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”
John 21:17
Forgiving does not mean completely forgetting the wrongdoings of the offender.
There must be justice for the crime committed against the offended, the sinned-against.
The contemporary criminal justice system metes out justice by establishing the guilt of the offender and punishing the offender according to the provisions of the law.
This is retributive justice. Yet, it is not a guarantee that forgiveness takes place.
In restorative justice, a dialogical approach takes place in an attempt to restore the dignity and the relationships between the offended, the offenders, and the community that the crime has afflicted. In the restorative justice system, there is a high probability of forgiveness and healing.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Why do we need to seek forgiveness and forgive those who have offended us?
What is your response to Jesus if he will ask you now, “Do you love me?” Would you want Jesus to ask you the same question three times?
What would it take you to forgive someone who betrays your trust and violates your personhood?
How can we use our freedom to love and forgive amid a world beset with sinfulness and brokenness?
How can we love the unlovable – rapist, murderers, oppressors, colonizers, land grabbers, and the oppressive social structures, etc.?
PRAYER OF BLESSING
God of Beauty and Holiness;
You have created a wonderful universe.
You have fashioned the amazing Earth and the delightful creatures in it. We bless you and praise you for creating us, human beings, in your image. And yet, somehow, in our arrogance
We forget our creatureliness.
We behave as if we are the creator of this Earth.
We forget to reflect in our lives your divine image.
We destroy the Earth because of greed.
We destroy our lives and our fellow earthlings.
We nurse our hurts and find it so difficult to forgive.
We nurture our proclivity for vengeance.
We delight in violence, conflicts, and wars.
We refuse to build communities of peace.
We are broken vessels; we wallow in our self-pity and brokenness.
For all our weaknesses, failures, and ugliness we brought into this world, Help us forgive ourselves, and forgive us, O God.
Help us become instruments of your blessing of forgiveness.
Dear God, as we leave this place,
Bless us with uneasiness with our complacency,
Bless us with courage and steadfastness
That we may strive to restore the beauty of our relationship with each other And with the Earth.
Amen.
Please share any thoughts, insights or recorded actions that come as a result of
today’s devotion on social media using the hashtag: #WWOP21
Team: Muriel Orevillo-Montenegro, Philippines/Hong Kong; Jacob Palm, USA; Joanna Tan, Singapore; Ololade Aregun, Nigeria; Salem Gin, Nigeria
If you are on Instagram, I highly recommend you follow @ymcairelandchaplaincy – they post inspiring content and are participating in the World Week of Prayer with daily posts and videos.
