Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, ‘Who is this who even forgives sins?’ And he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’”
NL Daily Devotion for Saturday, March 1, 2025
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
Is it so hard to forgive sins? I suppose we don’t have the right to forgive the harms a person has done to someone who is not us. For example, when a child is estranged from a parent, it is not appropriate for the other parent to try to patch things up between them, or to absolve either party of their responsibility in creating the problem.
Jesus can do this, however. And, in fact, does. Even if the relationship is never healed, and the parties go on estranged and unable to see their own part, Jesus loves and forgives them anyway.
We can hope that those involved can reach some kind of peace with the situation, trusting in and turning over to God the entire situation. Sure, it would be nice if true healing could take place, but sometimes it just doesn’t happen. And God is there in the midst of it, holding, loving, and sustaining all who harbor unresolved hurts, so that we can go on with our lives.
When we look at things that way, maybe it would be easier for us to forgive those who have done us harm, even if we aren’t able (for example, if it just isn’t emotionally safe) to re-establish a relationship, so that we ourselves can find healing and wholeness in forgiveness even if the other person remains apart.
How can I accept and find peace when others in my life are estranged from one another?
