Forgiveness

Sirach: If he who is but flesh cherishes wrath, who will forgive his sins?

Psalm 25: To you , O Lord, I lift up my soul.
I trust you, do not let me be disappointed;
do not let my enemies triumph.
Those who hope in you shall not be disappointed,
but only those who wantonly break faith.
Teach me. Do not remember the sins of my youth.

Sirach: Forgive your neighbors injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven. Should a man nourish anger against his fellows and expect healing from the Lord? Should a man refuse mercy to his fellows, yet seek pardon for his own sins?

Matt: Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?

Give up hatred. It hurts you more to carry it than it hurts your enemy when you express it. Try to understand. This is hard to do. It goes against the grain. Pray with the songwriter above (probably David) "teach me your paths, make me walk in your truth, and teach me: for you are God, my savior."

If it was easy, we wouldn't need to be saved. But as it is, that is the only thing worth pursuing into eternity. Now the sheep from February's posts are astonished. Here is the lead sheep (David?) crying out to the Shepard (that creature carrying that Rod) to teach him. Well, even us dumb wild sheep have to admit that the Rod seems to lead us to some mighty tasty forage and water. And it did a heck of a job whacking that critter that was trying to kill the sheep that stayed behind. But if I go as directed without being wild, I surrender my precious autonomy. Does that make me less than a sheep? Isn't my instinct to run from danger good? Maybe this David sheep is on to something after all? I am still just a dumb sheep, and will run from anything that scares me, but I think maybe I will hang around that rod, since it does seem to make for a better life.