Forgiveness

In our Gospel this weekend, which directly follows from last week’s gospel, Jesus repeats that we not condemn anyone.  No one is beyond God’s mercy. And no one should be beyond our mercy, even if they sin repeatedly against us.  

This week our nation recalls the heinous attacks on our country that happened twenty-five years ago on September 11, 2001.  Thinking of this event and recalling our Gospel these last two weeks, made me want to re-read one of my favorite authors, Henri Nouwen’s book, The Return of the Prodigal Son. I found this passage from his book to be gracefully relatable. I would like to share the following excerpt which I think explains well a lesson for us all this weekend and beyond. 

“It might sound strange, but God wants to find me as much as, if not more than, I want to find God. Yes, God needs me as much as I need God. God is not the patriarch who stays home, doesn’t move, and expects his children to come to him, apologize for their aberrant behavior, beg forgiveness, and promise to do better. To the contrary, he leaves the house, ignoring his dignity by running toward them, pays no heed to apologies and promises of change, and brings them to the table richly prepared for them”.