Day 21: Friday, February 29

This passage calls to mind the part of the Lord's Prayer that speaks of forgiveness. Only recently, I noticed an interesting fact: the language of the Prayer, no matter which version is used, is not exactly parallel. In The Book of Common Prayer (Daily Morning Prayer: Rite One, page 54), "And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us" does not say "...as we forgive the trespasses of others," but speaks of forgiving the trespassers—the people themselves.

Matthew 6:12 writes "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." Luke 11:4 states "and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive every one who is indebted to us."

In today's passage from Luke also, we are asked to forgive a person, not the sins of the person. Perhaps true forgiveness of the serious trespasses can come only from God. I think God must realize that some trespasses/debts/sins, especially those that harm or kill His children, are impossible for others of His children to forgive. We are asked only to forgive the doers rather than their actions.

Dear Lord, help us to find understanding and forgiveness in our hearts for those who trespass against us. Where we cannot, with our incomplete knowledge, understand why others have acted as they have, help us to know that to You all is known and understood. Help us then to leave forgiveness of trespasses to You, but to be able to forgive the persons we are asked to forgive. Amen.

Kennetta Russ