[Pearls Episode 146: Bringing Sunday into the week.]
Sunday’s scripture emphasizing Jesus’ stature as King over all creation (copied in the postscript) is also scripture that highlights his power to forgive our sins.
Venerable Fulton Sheen points out that this is no coincidence: “The world is full of Judases who think the name of God is hallowed only by worldly pomp and splendor. They forget that the kingdom of God is internal and ‘cannot be found by observation’ (Luke 17:20) and that the Church, which is the Mystical Christ, manifests her greatest strength in the forgiveness of sins.
The world asks: ‘How can man forgive sin?’ It might just as well ask how a man whose kingdom is no wider than a beam of wood could promise the kingdom of heaven to a thief. The forgiveness of sin is a greater manifestation of the power of God than the creation of the world. Creation makes something out of nothing. Forgiveness puts something into nothing. But the forgiveness that opens paradise is obtained as the thief obtained his, namely, by asking for it.”
C.S. Lewis reminds us how extraordinary it is that Jesus made the claim that He can forgive sin: “He went about saying to people ‘I forgive your sins.’ And now it is quite natural for man to forgive something you do to him. And thus if somebody cheats me out of 5 pounds it is quite possible and reasonable for me to say ‘well I forgive him, we will say no more about it.’ But what on earth would you say if someone had done you out of 5 pounds and I said, ‘that is alright, I forgive him.’”
That was from C.S. Lewis’ famous teaching that Jesus is either Lord, lunatic or liar. Only a lunatic or liar would claim to be able to forgive everyone’s sins; unless, that is, were He not actually the Lord. For today’s purposes we might substitute King.
We’re all called to share in Christ’s Kingship. We are all kings with a little “k.” We all have spheres of authority. Perhaps the greatest way that we model our kingship after the King of Kings is in the practice of forgiveness – “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
And here we are, and Thanksgiving is around the corner – with family gatherings – and perhaps among them some strained relationships. We can forgive those persons in the name of Christ; recognizing that forgiveness doesn’t necessarily mean reconciliation (that takes two…) – but now you’ve done the best thing you can by turning the relationship over to Christ so that His healing touch can go to work.
And then when we gather, in both in those relationships that are strong, and those that are wounded but forgiven, we will truly have much for which to be thankful.
Blessings on your journey with Christ –
Steve and Karen Smith
Interior Life
Postscript: Christ the King (Luke 23:35-43)
The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.”
Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”