SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2008

THE FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT

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Dear Friends in Our Lord Jesus:

Forgiveness. It has been defined as an act of mercy, inspired by God, in which one person breaks the "cycle of revenge" started by another person. In many ways, forgiveness is the greatest act of love we will ever experience.

And now there is a movement among scientists to measure the powerful results brought about by forgiveness.

The John Marks Templeton Foundation, which sponsors projects that apply scientific methods to religious issues, has started the Campaign for Forgiveness Research. Dozens of psychologists, psychiatrists, and sociologists have been awarded research grants from Templeton's $10 million campaign.

"The essence of forgiveness is always the same," said Dr. Robert Enright, director of the International Forgiveness Institute in Madison, Wisconsin. "You've been hurt by someone. But you choose to give up resentment to which you are entitled. You offer benevolence and mercy to someone who does not deserve it." In a newspaper interview, Dr. Enright insisted that mercy does not require a person to compromise his standards of justice. "Forgiveness and reconciliation aren't necessarily the same," he said. "You don't have to cave in to the other person. But you can break the cycle of revenge if you are willing to forgive."

The greatest act of forgiveness in the history of the world occurred 2,000 years ago in Jerusalem. On a small hilltop called Golgotha. By a man who was about to die an undeserved death. His name is Jesus. And as He took His last breaths on a hard Roman cross, he said this: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

As we journey through the Lenten season, let us remember that His words of forgiveness were meant for us.

-- The Very Rev. Dr. Steve Sellers +