"Forgive One Another"

(Matthew 6:14-21) (Forgiveness Sunday)

Today marks the end of one season, putting, as it were, the final period and bracket to the season which began back in November, with the period of fasting that was in preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of our Lord; and shortly thereafter, His Theophany. We’ve considered two basic themes throughout this period of time.

The first is that of theosis: of becoming like God. We have talked about and thought about the significance of the Son of God taking on our nature; and how, as a result, we are taken into His nature. We have said that, among other things, we embody Christ. That is, we make Him present here and now, and all the more so, as we grow more and more into His likeness. It is our calling to show Him forth in and through our lives each day.

The second theme is the wonderful and tender love that God has for each of us. We have considered how it is an act of God’s love by which He forgives us our sins, and restores us to Himself, and to each other. This is meant to create love for God in us, and for each other, making us vessels of His love. God is love; and, if we are going to accomplish our theosis, and be like God, we must love.

And now it is Forgiveness Sunday, and we stand at the threshold of Great Lent. We are about to enter into the fast that is the time of preparation for the celebration of our Lord’s Pascha, when, by His love, He gives Himself for us completely, so that we might, in Him, trample down death by death – His death. Such is the instruction we are given by St. Matthew today; for his words call us once more to consider theosis, being like God; and the love of God for each and all of us.

Our Lord tells us that we are to forgive one another for the sins that have offended us. This is not an unusual instruction. For example, we are told, each time before we come to receive the Body and Blood of our Lord, or even before making any offering to the Lord, that we should first be reconciled to each other. So that we may enter into and keep a holy Lent, later today, during the Vespers service, we will make a prostration to each other as a sign of humility, and ask forgiveness of each other, saying, “Forgive me, a sinner”; and replying, “God forgives; forgive me, a sinner”; to which the response is, “May God forgive and have mercy on us all.” It is a beautiful service; but it should not stop here. It is meant to be an example of how we should always respond to sin, whether it is an offense we have committed, or which someone has done to us. The key is in the exchange: “God forgives; forgive me, a sinner.” The promise is clear: If we forgive, we will be forgiven; and if we will not forgive, we will not be forgiven. When we forgive, we are like God; and God, recognizing the likeness of Christ in us, gladly saves us. If we will not forgive, we do not look like Christ – and will not be recognized as being His.

Consider also the necessity of always cultivating love for God, and for all who are made in His image, in us. To do so, we must value our relationship of love with God, and with each other, as being more important, more valuable, than anything else this world has to offer. Anything of material value will ultimately cease to exist; but the heavenly things that we establish within ourselves (by God’s grace) will endure. Our Lord says, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” If Christ is our treasure, our hearts will be with Him; and if our hearts are with Him, they will be influenced by Him; and if our hearts are influenced by Him, we will become more like Him; and the process of becoming like God, theosis, will be achieved – and all because we have learned to love with the love of God.

Brothers and sisters: Great Lent is upon us. At its completion is the completion of all things – our salvation, achieved by our Lord Jesus Christ by His offering of Himself for our sake because of His love. Let us forgive one another, and all who have sinned against us, even as we confess our sins; and let us earnestly desire to be filled with the love of God, and make Christ our treasure, that we may be with Him, and He with us; always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.