“If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
As we begin the yearly journey of great lent, we begin with the service of Forgiveness Vespers. Hearing the choir singing the Paschal Canon tonight reminds me that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Don’t you wish we could start every task with that thought. And as I looked at the church and participated, I asked forgiveness from people I’ve known all my life, and those I have never seen. It’s truly a great way to start this season.
Forgiveness is something I feel we all struggle with. Though we may say we forgive people for things they have done to us, there are times where those are just words, and there remains a pit in the stomach. After tonight, I have no pits left in my stomach. Asking forgiveness is quite the challenge. Not only does it mean you must be ok and accept what you have done, it also means you must open up and allow others to know that you have done wrong and that you are sorry for that. There have been countless times that I have said things, thought things, or done things to other people, but it is quite hard to actually admit to many of those things. As I begin this journey, I ask forgiveness of all of these things, past, present, and future, that I have done, whether in thought, word, or deed.
The path has been laid, and I am ready to take it. I will grow from my past, and build upon the past to create a better future. Thought the tunnel is dark and cold like a tomb, the light at the end will continue to shine, drawing me closer and closer.
Forgiveness IS something I feel we all struggle with! I <3 you!