“Forgive us our
trespasses as we forgive others (including ourselves).”
I volunteer as a hospital
chaplain for our sisters and brothers who suffer with psychiatric issues. Some
have been institutionalized for a long time and I have visited with them and
formed friendships over many years. As people share their stories, I have seen
that many who suffer with emotional pain are carrying a heavy burden – they are
unable to forgive.
Sometimes it’s another
person whom they cannot forgive: someone who has hurt, betrayed or abandoned
them. Sometimes it’s God who is blamed for taking a loved one away in death. Sometimes
it’s even oneself.
The latter case, the
inability to forgive oneself, is one of the most insidious causes of
depression. It keeps us from finding peace and trusting in God’s love for us.
We are all human. We make
mistakes, we sometimes hurt others, we sin. But as children of God we are
called to forgiveness and redemption. We are called to really believe in God’s
unconditional love for us, to say ‘yes’ to God’s mercy and grace.
God calls us to wholeness
and Jesus shows us the way: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive others
(including ourselves).
………………………………………………………………………………..
Readers
of this blog might enjoy these books by Deacon Lex. Both are available on
Amazon.com:
Just to Follow My Friend: Experiencing God’s Presence in Everyday
Life
Synchronicity as the Work of the Holy Spirit: Jungian Insights for
Spiritual Direction and Pastoral Ministry
No comments:
Post a Comment