- Sirach 27: 30-28:7
- Psalms 103: 1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12
- Romans 14: 7-9
- Matthew 18: 21-35
- The essence of forgiveness
- "Forgive and forget" seems to be a catchy phrase. Why do you think that those two go together like that?
- Is it possible to forgive someone, but still remember what they did to you?
- Is forgiveness something that you have to work at?
- Once you forgive someone for something, is that it? Or do you end up forgiving them multiple times for the same thing sometimes?
- Preparing to forgive
- What does compassion have to do with forgiveness?
- What makes it easier for you to forgive someone?
- If you forgive someone for something, and they do it again, what do you conclude?
- Do you think that God views things that way?
- What I was born for ...
- What do you think is your purpose in life?
- What are you doing now to achieve that purpose?
- How does forgiving others help you be a better person?
- Learning from the master
- How has God's forgiveness of you changed your life?
- How might your forgiveness of others change their lives?
- What is the worst thing that can happen to you if you forgive someone?
- Is it possible for that same thing to happen if you do not forgive them?
- Am I generous with my forgiveness?
- What emotions do I feel entitled to, after the way that I'v been treated?
- How am I giving myself away to others?
- What moves me to compassion?
Last Will and Testament
We all knew that the reading of Frank's will was going to be different.
Frank had never had much in this life, just enough to get by.
But whatever he had, he was always busy giving it away.
So we gathered expectantly, looking forward to what his last wishes were.
To Larry, I give my forgiveness for all the tools that he borrowed and never returned.
To Janice, my loving wife, I forgive you all of the times that I asked what was wrong,
And you never answered me, really told me what was eating at you.
To my children, I forgive you for all of the times you kept me and you mother awake.
Larry, I always knew that you didn't have the money for tools of your own. They are gifts.
Janice, I know that I can be pushy sometimes, and opening up to me is hard.
Kids, I hope you know that I waited up for you, not because I didn't trust you,
I could never trust the world around you to treat you with as much love as I had for you.
To my anxious coworkers, I forgive you the times that you took credit for my ideas.
You were starving for that word of thanks, the recognition, the job itself,
And making off with my ideas was the only way that you could fill that need.
I only wish that you had asked me first. The answer might have surprised you.
To all of you, I give you my love.
And ask you to forgive me for not telling you sooner.
We never seem to get enough honesty between us of that sort.
And now, I can no longer remember what I was so afraid of.
Shalom!
Frank had never had much in this life, just enough to get by.
But whatever he had, he was always busy giving it away.
So we gathered expectantly, looking forward to what his last wishes were.
To Larry, I give my forgiveness for all the tools that he borrowed and never returned.
To Janice, my loving wife, I forgive you all of the times that I asked what was wrong,
And you never answered me, really told me what was eating at you.
To my children, I forgive you for all of the times you kept me and you mother awake.
Larry, I always knew that you didn't have the money for tools of your own. They are gifts.
Janice, I know that I can be pushy sometimes, and opening up to me is hard.
Kids, I hope you know that I waited up for you, not because I didn't trust you,
I could never trust the world around you to treat you with as much love as I had for you.
To my anxious coworkers, I forgive you the times that you took credit for my ideas.
You were starving for that word of thanks, the recognition, the job itself,
And making off with my ideas was the only way that you could fill that need.
I only wish that you had asked me first. The answer might have surprised you.
To all of you, I give you my love.
And ask you to forgive me for not telling you sooner.
We never seem to get enough honesty between us of that sort.
And now, I can no longer remember what I was so afraid of.
Shalom!
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