Prayer/Assembly Resource Sheet
Week Beginning: 18September 2017
Theme: Forgiveness
Reflection: ‘There is no love without forgiveness, and no forgiveness without love.’ Bryant H. McGill
Readings: Ecclesiastics 27:30-28:7; Psalm 102; Romans 14: 7-9; Matthew 18: 21-35
We live in a society where a popular logic suggests that:‘what you give is what you get.’ We read media headlines that tell us of people ‘getting what they deserve.’ We may hear words spoken in hurt: “I will never forgive them for what they have done.” Jesus’ disciples have heard him say incredible things about loving enemies, praying to the Father for those who persecute them, forgiving those who do them harm. In Matthew’s Gospel we hear Peter seeking some practical guidance suggesting that we should forgive someone as many as 7 times. Jesus’ answer is revolutionary. There are no limits to forgiveness! “Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times”. There is no suggestion of keeping a ‘track record’ such as existed in the culture of vengeance that all of the Jews would have been familiar with in the “Song of Vengeance” by Lamech, a legendary desert hero, that goes: “Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech will be avenged seventy times seven”. In the face of this culture of vengeance without limits, Jesus proposes forgiveness without limits.
Mercy and forgiveness is at the heart of our faith. From the cross Jesus pleaded, “Forgive them Father for they know not what they do.” This plea is found in the Gospel of St Luke where we also hear of the Lost Sheep and the Prodigal Son.
We are called to forgive without keeping ‘a record.’ This can be extremely difficult especially when faced with challenging behaviour from young or old,who may not know what they do. It is for these lost sheep that we need to continually reach out with forgiveness in the recognition that sometimes we too are lost and in need of God’s mercy.
A Storyfor Sharing: ‘The Tale of a Bad Man’ from ‘Speaking in Stories’
by W.R. White
Once a very bad man died and went before the judgement throne. Before him stood Abraham, David, Peter and Luke. A chilly silence hung heavy in the room as an unseen voice began to read the details of the man’s life. There was nothing good that was recorded. When the voice concluded, Abraham spoke: “People like you cannot enter the heavenly kingdom. You must leave.”
“Father Abraham,” the man cried, “I do not defend myself. I have no choice but to ask for mercy. Surely, you understand. Though you lied to save your own life, saying your wife was your sister, by the grace and mercy of God you became a blessing to all nations.”
David interrupted, “Abraham has spoken correctly. You have committed evil and heinous crimes. You do not belong in the kingdom of light. “
The man faced the great king and cried, “Son of Jesse, it is true. I am a wicked man. Yet I dare ask you for forgiveness. You lay with Uriah’s wife and later, to cover your sin, arranged his death. I ask only forgiveness as you have known it.”
Peter was next to speak. “Unlike David, you have shown no love to God. By your acid tongue and your vile temper, you have wounded the Son of God.”
“I should be silent,” the man muttered. “The only way I have used the blessed name of Jesus is in anger. Still, Simon, Son of John, I plead your forgiveness. Though you walked by his side and listened to words from his lips, you slept when he needed you in the garden, and you denied him three times in his night of greatest need.”
Then Luke the evangelist spoke, “You must leave. You have not been found worthy of the Kingdom of God.”
The man’s head bowed sadly for a moment before a spark lit in his face. “My life has been recorded correctly,” he began slowly. “I am guilty as charged. Yet I know there is a place for me in this blessed kingdom. Abraham, David, and Peter will plead my cause because they know of the weakness of humanity and the mercy of God. You blessed physician, will open the gates to me because you have written of God’s great love for the likes of me. Don’t you recognise me? I am the lost sheep that the Good Shepherd carried home. I am your younger, prodigal brother who has returned home to seek mercy and an embrace of acceptance.”
At this, the gates opened and Luke embraced the man with love and forgiveness!
Prayers for the week:
The response to our prayers: Lord you are compassion and love. We praise you for your mercy. Amen
Monday: We prayfor forgiveness among Christians, that we may treat each other as God treats us.R/
Tuesday: We pray for an end to vengeance and hatred that all people may learn to live together in tolerance.R/
Wednesday:We pray for the homeless men, women and children on the streets of our country, that they may be looked after.R/
Thursday: We pray on this International Day of Peace for a world rooted in forgiveness and love. R/
Friday: We pray for those who ask God for a good harvest, that their prayers may be heard.R/