Lent Day 23: April 4

This morning we welcome guest blogger Dan Affeldt who helps us to see how reconciliation and forgiveness are possible when we are focused on Christ.

Lenten Reflection for Day 23

Date: Monday April 4, 2011

Author: Dan Affeldt

Bible Passage:

1 Peter 3:8–9 (NRSV)

⁸ Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. ⁹ Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing.

Reflection:

This passage from Peter captures for me the essence of how we are offered the opportunity to experience the profound joy that comes from God’s love made manifest in the sacrifice of Jesus. Forgiveness that is ours from Christ is also ours to share with others if we keep our hearts focused on Christ and our actions guided by that focus. Anger, hurt, resentment, alienation, fear, spitefulness, envy, and greed inevitably bring pain, separation, loneliness and even despair. And this befalls us if we are the target of or we are the source of the evil or abuse.

But surely joy can be ours if we, through Christ, but offer forgiveness, seek forgiveness, and are reconciled both with God and those who harm us or we have harmed in any way that might separate us from the other, from our own faith, and thus from God.

They will know we are Christians by our love.

Prayer:

Dear, dear Lord, help me this day and every day stay close to you in all that I do and say. Let the Grace you paid so dearly for, but offer us so freely, if we but accept it be my strength and continuing blessing. Keep fresh in my being how the criminal crucified next to you had only turn to you and asked to be remembered in your Kingdom for your Grace to bring him peace and even joy in the midst of such fear. Amen