How very true, but try to get someone who won't forgive themselves to believe they really are forgiven can be hard. I tell them it's (to use a British expression) "cheeky" to not accept God's forgiveness. Maybe that's why it's so hard for some people to forgive others.
I sort of shudder every time I pray the Lord's Prayer and get to the part that says "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." I really do believe that's the most dangerous prayer we can ever pray--and I wonder at people who pray it by rote and never think about what it really says...
MA, the folks who won't forgive themselves are difficult to help. "Cheeky" is a good way to put it to them. Jesus' life on earth, from the Incarnation to the Resurrection, was so that we would know that we are forgiven.
Doxy, I know exactly what you mean. If we take the words of the Lord's Prayer at all seriously, it is dangerous.
It's not really your choice. You know I have the power to bind you or loose you. It comes with the job. So behave yourself! Or I might be doing me some binding today.
You would have to find an English priest to do it. We have a lot more power than your American ones, because we are nearer to the source of all power - Rowan Williams.
How very true, but try to get someone who won't forgive themselves to believe they really are forgiven can be hard. I tell them it's (to use a British expression) "cheeky" to not accept God's forgiveness. Maybe that's why it's so hard for some people to forgive others.
ReplyDeleteI sort of shudder every time I pray the Lord's Prayer and get to the part that says "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." I really do believe that's the most dangerous prayer we can ever pray--and I wonder at people who pray it by rote and never think about what it really says...
ReplyDeleteAnd Happy Easter, dearest Mimi!
Pax,
Doxy
MA, the folks who won't forgive themselves are difficult to help. "Cheeky" is a good way to put it to them. Jesus' life on earth, from the Incarnation to the Resurrection, was so that we would know that we are forgiven.
ReplyDeleteDoxy, I know exactly what you mean. If we take the words of the Lord's Prayer at all seriously, it is dangerous.
Happy Easter to you, love.
What the girls said!
ReplyDeleteI forgive you, Mimi.
ReplyDeleteFor what, MadPriest?
ReplyDeleteI don't need the details. In fact, I doubt that I would want to listen to the details. Me being an innocent and all that.
ReplyDeleteYou mean confession? Don't worry. I wouldn't choose you for my confessor.
ReplyDeleteIt's not really your choice.
ReplyDeleteYou know I have the power to bind you or loose you. It comes with the job.
So behave yourself! Or I might be doing me some binding today.
Bind away. I'll get loosed again next Sunday - or sooner if I choose.
ReplyDeleteYou would have to find an English priest to do it. We have a lot more power than your American ones, because we are nearer to the source of all power - Rowan Williams.
ReplyDeleteHa, ha, ha, ha! If Rowan was my source of power, I doubt that I would go public with the information.
ReplyDeleteRowan's power doesn't transfer to wimmin or gay people - so your point is purely academic.
ReplyDeleteAll right. Whatever. We can stop now.
ReplyDeleteWe'll stop when the priest says stop.
ReplyDeleteKnow your place, laity.