So, which Sunday (or church service) do you think is the most important out of the entire year?
Would you say it’s Pascha (Easter)?
Nope, not Pascha!
Would you say it’s Christmas?
Nope, not Christmas, either!
I believe the most important Sunday is Forgiveness Sunday when we celebrate Forgiveness Vespers.
After all, if there’s no forgiveness, there’s no Pascha! Here’s what Jesus said about forgiveness in the Sermon on the Mount:
“But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:22-24)
And, Jesus wasn’t joking about how important forgiveness is before approaching God. Later, in the Sermon on the Mount, he teaches us how to pray–this is the Lord’s Prayer:
“… and forgive us our trespasses, AS we forgive those who trespass against us …” (Matthew 6:12)
But, what’s even more astounding is that the only commentary Jesus gives on the Our Father is this:
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15)
That’s it! The prayer mentions the Kingdom coming, God’s will, daily bread, and not being led into temptation, but the one thing, the only thing that Jesus reinforces is forgiveness.
But, it sort of makes sense. Think about it:
- How will the Kingdom be present on earth? Through forgiveness!
- How will God’s will be done? I believe it’s through forgiveness!
- What’s the “daily bread” that being given to us? How about God’s instruction that gives us life, which is about forgiveness!
- How do we avoid temptation? By forgiving one another! (Or, if you translate “πειρασμός” as “trial” instead of “temptation,” how do we avoid going to trail? By forgiving one another rather then suing one another.)
So, forgiveness was a major part of Jesus’s ministry and it’s something he not only encourages us to do, but commands us to do if we are to call ourselves Christians.
But, how do we do it? Where do we begin?
Well, Forgiveness Vespers offers us a start (this year, it’s Sunday, March 14). During that service we not only hear hymns about forgiveness, but, at the end of the service, we get to practice the Rite of Forgiveness.
During this rite, we go around to every person in the congregation and ask them for forgiveness. And, as others approach us, we also offer forgiveness precisely because we’re imitating a forgiving God.
No one said this was easy. And, no one said this was fun. But, IT IS NECESSARY! It’s how we walk the Way and put our faith into action. After all, faith without works is dead!
So, this Sunday, the rubber meets the road.
Of course, everyone wants to flock to church for Pascha and celebrations, but we ARE CALLED to church to be forgiven and to learn how to forgive. Just as parents teach their children how to walk and talk, the church teaches us how to forgive, and in that, there’s life.
So, whether you feel like it or not, practice forgiveness because that’s where grace is.