September 13, 2020
/Proper 19
Genesis 50: 15-21; Psalm 103; Matthew 18: 21- 35
The Rev. James M. L. Grace
Forgiveness. That is what all our readings have in common today. Forgiveness. Specifically, the forgiveness of God.
In the reading from Genesis this morning, we hear part of what might be a familiar story to you about one of the great patriarchs of the Jewish faith, a man named Joseph, who was beaten by his jealous brothers and pushed into the bottom of a well by them. Fast forward a few years, and those same brothers, who did Joseph such harm, now find themselves in the awkward position of petitioning Joseph, whom they do not recognize, for assistance. Once Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers, they rightfully are afraid of retribution, punishment, or that Joseph will justifiably open up a can of you-know-what on them. He does not.
Instead he says them: “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good . . . so have no fear, I myself will provide for you and your little ones.” Joseph forgives his brothers who treated him so unfairly. We should go and do likewise. End of sermon. Not really.
Joseph is a model of forgiveness, sure, but how many of us, when we are wronged, find it so easy to forgive? That is the problem, isn’t it? Most of us are not like Joseph. Most of us do not forgive so easily. Why?
There are of course many reasons, but most of them boil down to this: we hold onto our resentments of others because of how they unfairly treated us. Why do we this to ourselves? Why do we hold onto our resentments toward others? I might be able to offer two answers – the first is that maybe the reason we do so is because then we can use our resentments to justify whatever emotions we are feeling: jealousy, anger, envy. If you hold onto the resentment, if you refuse to forgive, then you can engage all those emotions as you want. You can be as angry, jealous, self-righteous, or envious as you want to be.
Perhaps another reason why we hold onto our resentments of others and delay forgiveness is because we find ourselves attracted to the role of being a victim. “Poor mistreated me; I don’t get any respect. No one appreciates everything I do.” I know some people who are really good victims. They seem to relish it. The only problem is, no one relishes being around them, including me.
The model Joseph sets before us – forgiving at all costs – is nearly perfect, but not quite. There is one thing missing, and it is the necessary foundation of all forgiveness. God. Often, we choose not to forgive because we just do not have the power to. The injury was too much, the offense too great, the pain too hurtful. We cannot forgive. If that describes you, then yes you might not be able to forgive. But God can. God can forgive what you are unable to if you allow it. God will not force the forgiveness. You must allow God to let happen. Do so through prayer.
Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the prison cell many of us find ourselves wasting away in. Right now, there is someone in your life you need to forgive. And you probably will not, until the pain of the resentment you have against that person is so heavy your soul can bear it no more. Ask God to partner with you. Invite God in, let God forgive what you cannot. Your life will never be the same. AMEN.