Just when we’re getting friendly with the idea of depending on God for bread, Jesus crosses into terribly dangerous territory:
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
We tend to trip over these words because we’re fond of speaking about forgiveness as the “free” gift of God. We can’t earn our pardon, or purchase the grace that pulsates through God’s heart.
If only it were that easy.
Jesus teaches that forgiveness must be given in order to be received – and that doesn’t mean we’re buying our forgiveness. When we give our seeds to the soil hoping to receive a crop we aren’t purchasing a harvest, we’re participating in it. When we plow the dirt, or weed and water the crops, we aren’t earning life, we’re submitting to it.
The difference is control.
The stuff we earn belongs to us and the property we buy is private – we control its movement. We’d prefer to think the same is true of gifts like forgiveness. Once we have it, it’s ours to keep. But forgiveness can’t be owned because it isn’t a badge or a boundary – it’s a substance for carrying life, like water for the crops or blood in the body. If we don’t send it out it can’t nourish, and eventually everything withers – including us. We must give in order to receive, we must die in order to live, we must forgive in order to be forgiven.
And that takes faith.
Prayer Exercise
Set aside 15-20 minutes where you won’t be interrupted. Start by reading a favorite Psalm, singing a favorite song, or repeating the petition above from the Lord’s prayer.
After you feel centered, stop and consider “forgiveness” in your life. What are the withering relationships at home, at work, with friends? Pray for each situation, asking God to show you what forgiveness and reconciliation would look like in each situation. Imagine what actions, if any, you may need to take.
denise on 
jenell on