People's Prayers: Prayers of the People: AS I Forgive Others 15th Sunday after Pentecost '17 Yr A

For Sunday, September 17, 2017, 15^th Sunday after Pentecost, Year A, Readings: Exodus 14:19-31, Psalm 114, Romans 14:1-12,
Matthew 18:21-35

The LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided...the Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. [Exodus 14:21b, 29]

Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord...Who turned the hard rock into a pool of water and flint-stone into a flowing spring. [Psalm 114:7, 8]

Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions...Who are you to pass judgment on...[another]? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand. [Romans 14:1, 4]

Peter came and said to Jesus, "...how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times...'[The lord of the slave said] Should you not have mercy of your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?'...So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart." [Matthew 18:21-22, 33, 35]

Jesus tells Peter that seventy-seven times we are to forgive, or, as in an older perhaps more familiar translation, seventy times seven. Sometimes forgiving
once feels beyond my capacity but I sure can snap to judgment in a nano-second.
I do know that my instant judgment of another often has more to do with a projection of what I don't like about myself, specifically the uncomfortable awareness of my own sins. When I push myself to move beyond denial and engage in thoughtful, prayerful reflection of who I am and how I react, I remember the saying, If God forgives you, who are you not to forgive yourself?! And when I dig deeper, I discover that forgiveness received and given isn't a mere slap-dash-high-five-good-to-go. It requires a significant, deliberate, conscious change in me without requiring the same of others. Some days - some minutes! - are easier than others to live up to the challenge of self-changing. But when I purposely accept the forgiveness of God and make a sincere intentional pledge and employ much effort to be better and do better, I experience a lifting of my spirit, a freedom, and a strengthening of my faith.

When I feel forgiven, it is easier to extend forgiveness, understanding, and compassion to others. When judgment and cynicism wane, the work of faith, hope, and love becomes more instinctual though not always less difficult. It is a continuous process filled with detours, back-tracking, failure, and persistence in starting again. Paul reminds us that we are each accountable to God. Perhaps a sticky note that says accountable on the dashboard of my car will help me to remember, in one of those moments, that it is God's favorable judgment I seek. I also need frequent reminders that it is my responsibility to live as a disciple of Christ, with honor. After all, as Paul asks, who am I to judge another?

Jesus is uncomfortably clear that God will forgive us AS we forgive others. Oh how simply difficult. Okay then, it's a new day, the long road is before us, and, we are never alone. Let us follow the wisdom of Moses, Paul, and Jesus, and walk always toward God's dry and holy ground with mercy, compassion, and forgiveness for others in our hearts.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader: ~ Holy God, Pillar of our Universe, liberate us from the slavery of judgment and anger, keep us mindful of our accountability to You and always aware that You forgive us as sincerely and grace-fully as we forgive all others.

LORD of Mercy

RESPONSE: Grant us the true heart to forgive

~ Holy God, Pillar of our Universe, in these difficult times, energize us to press the urgency of informed decision-making and rational response to crises upon the leaders of our Planet, our Nation, and our local Community. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

LORD of Mercy