Day 19: Wednesday, February 27

In this passage from Luke, we are reminded of a need not just to look after each other by pointing out and sharply criticizing a sinful behavior, but also in extending that “looking out after each other” act by forgiving a person’s actions if he repents.

Perhaps Webster had read this passage when he defined forgiveness as “the act of offering the chance to recover from mistakes,” and, “to cease to feel resentment.”

What wonderful guidance to all in the community… to the sinner to be encouraged by an environment of second chances and third, fourth, fifth, sixth and even seventh chances.

And for the one who witnesses or receives the act of contrition by the sinner and the sinner’s explicit promise to turn from sin and to rededicate himself to change…this person is placed in a position of giving pardon…as many times as it is requested through the act of repentance.

In such a way, both parties become bonded as healers for each other…the sinner in offering the forgiver a way out of lingering and punishing ill-will and resentment, and the one who forgives as a way to provide the sinner another chance to wipe the slate clean and dedicate himself to a better way of life.

As we are all sinners, Luke’s writing on forgiveness may have been the original version of “pay it forward.”

Fred Williams