Journey to the Cross

Pause

"I don't think anyone, until their soul leaves their body, is past the point of no return."

Tom Hiddleston, actor

Listen

The one whose wrongdoing is forgiven, whose sin is covered over, is truly happy!

The one the Lord doesn’t consider guilty— in whose spirit there is no dishonesty— that one is truly happy!

Psalm 32:1-2

Think

Forgiveness is difficult to accept. Our culture is quick to dismiss rather than accept apologies. “I’m sorry,” or “I apologize,” is often met with, “don’t worry about it,” or “no apology necessary.”

Recently I explained to a couple of friends that they would be receiving a formal apology from me and a colleague. They were quick to say it wasn’t necessary. I asked them to consider that even if they didn’t require an apology, perhaps we needed to make one.

Later we were gathered and asked everyone to return to a moment earlier in the day when we had failed the group. We described what had happened, named the point of our own disappointing behavior, and then looked everyone in the eyes as we said, “Please accept our apology. It won’t happen again.”

The faithful individuals meeting with us simply said, “Thank you. You are forgiven.”

Making and accepting an apology can be an amazing step in returning to right relationship with God.

We must practice forgiveness in order to be forgiven.

Bronwyn Clark Skov

Pray

Forgiving God, please help me to remember that in forgiving I receive forgiveness, and that asking for forgiveness is a return to happiness in your love. Thank you for accepting my apology and helping to restore my relationship with you and with others, in the name of your son Jesus. Amen.

Go

Return to me, says the Lord of heavenly forces, and I will return to you . . .

 Zechariah 1:3