Blogging Lent – Father, Forgive Them

Father, forgive them; for they do not what they are doing (Luke 23:34).

Father, forgive them. Forgive them. Jesus isn’t talking about himself forgiving those who were crucifying him. Doubtless, he already has forgiven them. But he asks his Father to forgive them.

Throughout his life, Jesus declared to sinners who have to come to him in faith that their sins are forgiven. He says it in a passive voice. Not I forgive you for your sins, but Your sins are forgiven. Maybe because forgiving sin that didn’t appear to be committed against him was already audacious. In the shock maybe they wouldn’t have heard the truth of the statement he made. They might think who does this guy think he is? instead of I have been set free from my guilt.

But on the cross, Jesus makes a special petition to the Father as if the forgiveness of the soldiers wasn’t sure yet.

Father, forgive them. They’re just obeying orders, following the law, submitting to the authorities you have set above them. They don’t know they are killing the Son of God. They don’t know they are killing Life.

How many times have I sinned without knowing it? I’m sure I have spoken words innocently that have nevertheless cut someone. (It’s happened often enough to me). How many stray words would I want to take back?

How many actions are there in my life that withheld love or kindness (or, worse, have caused harm) because I wasn’t paying enough attention? I was just going through the motions. I was only doing my job.

+ Dear Lord, forgive me for things I have done and the things I have left undone that were sin against you or your creation. I was clueless. I didn’t know what I was doing because I was just going through the motions of my day, fulfilling my responsibilities, but not being watchful for where your will could be accomplished through me. Open my eyes. Make me less of a lifeless automaton and more like your Son who is full of life. Amen.