Maybe the reason it seems hard for me to forgive others is that I do not fully believe that I am a forgiven person. If I could fully accept the truth that I am forgiven and do not have to live in guilt or shame, I would really be free. My freedom would allow me to forgive others seventy times seven times. By not forgiving, I chain myself to a desire to get even, thereby losing my freedom. A forgiven person forgives. This is what we proclaim when we pray “and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us.”
This lifelong struggle lies at the heart of the Christian life.
--Henri Nouwen
Image source 1: Ally Barrett, Peter Denies Jesus (2018) © Ally Barrett (www.reverendally.org) and used by permission.
Image source 2: https://the-chosen.fandom.com/wiki/Simon_Peter
Image source 2: https://the-chosen.fandom.com/wiki/Simon_Peter
No comments:
Post a Comment