Faithful Conversations #29

Introduction to Readers:

Twenty-two years ago (Monday) terrorists hijacked planes and used them as missiles in attacks on the WTC in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. It’s safe to say they changed the course of history. It’s a day that is seared in my memory, in part, because it was our son’s 17th birthday and, in many respects, changed Jake’s life trajectory. He was among his classmates sitting in my European History class when we learned of the attacks when a colleague breathlessly ran into my room and said, “You need to turn on your TV — something terrible is happening in New York City!” (Sidebar: I was in the midst of a lecture on the life of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation at that moment — a strange companion to this memory!). 

This week’s readings focus on the Christian practice of FORGIVENESS and the 9-11 anniversary has been on my mind in that regard. As followers of Christ, how do we respond to evil in our world? Is it possible, for example, for us to forgive those young men who perpetrated those attacks many years ago? What would Jesus say about this? Let’s reflect. 

Readings for Pentecost 16
Genesis 50:15-21
Psalm 103 (1-7)8-13
Romans 14:1-12
Matthew 18:21-35

Psalm 103 (1-7)8-13: Thanksgiving for God’s Goodness

The Gospel Reading: The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
²¹ Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” ²² Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. ²³ “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴ As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. ²⁵ Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. ²⁶ “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ ²⁷ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. ²⁸ “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. ²⁹ “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ ³⁰ “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. ³¹ When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. ³² “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. ³³ Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ ³⁴ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. ³⁵ “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

This Week’s Reflection: “Authentic Forgiveness: A Transformative Process”  

Every Sunday, and perhaps more often than that, we pray the Lord’s Prayer (known as the Pater Noster in Latin). We most often use this translation: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. The origin of this prayer is found in Matthew 6:9-13 and is part of the Sermon on the Mount (there is a shorter version of it in Luke 11:2-4 as well). Interestingly, the version we use actually derives from the Book of Common Prayer, dating to 1549 and the English Reformation, but that’s another story (I got caught up researching that due to the occasional arguments we have regarding what version to use in worship — and the fact that the most common Biblical translations we use simply do not have the word “trespass” in them, but rather the word “debts” — we seem to be fighting over the version from the Book of Common Prayer, and not a Biblical translation!) 

The 5th Petition of this familiar part of our worship — Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us — is important for our reflections this week and a strong reminder that WE FORGIVE OTHERS BECAUSE GOD FORGIVES US. Luther addressed that in his explanation of the petition in the Small Catechism (Let’s have a, “What Does This Mean?” moment — A reminder of Confirmation days perhaps!): “We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look at our sins or deny our prayer because of them. We are neither worthy of the things for which we pray, nor have we deserved them, but we ask that He would give them all to us by grace, for we daily sin much and surely deserve nothing but punishment. So we too will sincerely forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us.”

And that brings us to this week’s Gospel reading, the “Parable of the Unmerciful Servant.” Jesus responds to Peter’s question regarding how FAR WE ACTUALLY GO with forgiveness by sending a radical message — forgiveness is an unending process that dramatically affects both the forgiven, and the one granting forgiveness. To illustrate his point, he offers a story. A king is attempting to settle accounts with his servants. One who owes ten thousand bags of gold — perhaps as much as 15 years of wages for a laborer in that time period — is pressed for payment. The servant begs the King to give him more time, and the King has mercy and simply cancels the debt. Freed from what he owed, however, the very same servant confronts one who owes him a much smaller amount, demanding payment. Showing no mercy, he has the debtor thrown in prison. When the King learns of this situation, he becomes justifiably enraged, relegating the man he had forgiven to prison and torture. Wow! 

As with most of the parables, this one challenges us to the core. The central point Jesus makes is that we forgive others because we have been forgiven by God. Our human nature, of course, gets in the way and forgiveness seems unnatural to us. History is filled with examples of payback and vengeance. And spend any time listening to the political rhetoric of 2023, and it is clear that forgiveness is off in the distance, if present at all.  Forgiveness, yes, is yet another example of the radical and countercultural message of Jesus Christ. In fact, I would argue that our ability to forgive is a miraculous gift and a reminder that we carry within us the image of our Creator. Through authentic forgiveness, both for us and by us, we are liberated and transformed! May we continue to pray for that miracle!    

Soli Deo Gloria

Prayer (inspired by Psalm 103): Lord God, Like a soaring eagle, you renew our strength day to day. Your steadfast love for us is constant, and you forgive our transgressions again and again. Plant in our hearts the capacity to forgive, even those whose evil we cannot comprehend. Amen.   

Our next round of FAITHFUL CONVERSATIONS is coming!: “Real Faith for Real Life!” 

What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? Join us for an exploration of that question in September and October. We will read and discuss Michael Foss’s book, Real Faith for Real Life: Living the Six Marks of Discipleship. In his book’s introduction, Foss writes: “This book was written to help you grow deep. It was written to help you on your journey of spiritual discovery and renewal. So it’s more than a book; it is workbook or notebook for the soul. Its pages will invite you to be open to hear the greatest call on earth, the call to Jesus the risen Messiah.”

All are welcome! No prior knowledge necessary! Contact me if you have any questions. Invite a friend!   Meeting Dates:

Wednesdays at 6:30 (September 20, 27 and October 11, and 18)