“Forgiveness is richer and higher and harder and more shocking than we usually think. Jesus’ message offers the genuine article, and insists that we should accept no man-made substitutes.”
– N.T. Wright
“Once our eyes have been opened to see the enormity of our offense against God, the injuries which others have done to us appear by comparison extremely trifling. If on the other hand, we have an exaggerated view of the offenses of others, it proves we have minimized our own.”
– John Stott
“Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
where there is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is discord, union;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that we may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
– Prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi
Matthew 6:9-15 (especially vv.12,14-15)
