Sunday Musings - February 11, 2024
What is commonly referred to as The Lord’s Prayer is found in the Christian Gospels of Matthew and Luke. It is almost always recited in unison during Christian religious services. A portion of the prayer is asking for forgiveness.
“Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.”
or
“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
Some theologians suggest that the word trespass from the Greek paraptoma (to trespass or sin) suggests that we have violated a rule or committed a sin. In Latin the word debita would be used. Many of us might think of debt in terms of something one owes and trespass in terms of a violation of a moral or social ethics. Often Christians use the term sin to mean trespasses or debts. For many sins is the violation of a divine law. Devine law generally is thought to correspond to a set of principles which determine the interdependence or interaction of the whole which is the universe(s). Thus, sin would be any action or lack of action which disturbs or hurts a part which in turn disturbs the whole. Thus, if one hurts one’s brother or sister one hurts the whole. If one discards a piece of plastic which ends up in the earth and hurts a plant or animal which is then eaten by a human, one has hurt the universe. If one hurts another by what one has left undone one also has hurt the whole including oneself.
Obviously, none of us fail to consciously or unconsciously hurt each other, another animal or insect or in some other way fail to act in a way which nourishes the whole.
Every culture, it seems, has a hierarchy of “sins “and a legal and religious system which largely ignores certain acts (sins) and grossly punishes other actions (sins). Many cultures, including most in the United States, distinguish between forgiveness, punishment, and prevention of further harm. Thus, it is not unusual for someone to say that they forgive someone who harmed them or a family member but believe justice demands the person go to prison or endure some other punishment. One might suggest that imprisoning someone is not punishment but prevention of further harm. I would argue that anyone who has spent time in prison or jails knows prisons in the United States and many other places are designed for punishment. They are not designed and run as mental hospitals where the stated goal is treatment and prevention of further harm to self, others, and Mother Earth.
Many who identify as Christians justify a hierarchy of sins some or which can be overlooked or ignored and some of which require punishment. They appear to keep an excel type spreadsheet of potential sins and criteria for determining the point value for each sin. Historically in the United States, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, political affiliation, illness, race, and other social constructs affect what one considers sin and the point value of each. In today’s political culture in the United States some self-identified Christians overlook behavior which is hurtful to others if other goals are espoused or achieved. These very same Christians seem to still be able to pray: “Forgive my trespasses/debts as I forgive those who trespass (owe debts) against/to me.”.
Certain theologians argue that any behavior is exempt if it is done with the intention of “the greater good for the greater number”. Apparently, Jesus neglected to mention that caveat. Some may argue that some individuals are possessed of the devil or are just plain evil and thus Christian duty may require their incarceration or even death.
Do Christians need to consider the following:
In Matthew 5:23–24, while Jesus is giving his Sermon on the Mount, he says, “So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Then, just a few verses after Jesus’ prayer, in Matthew 6: 14–15, he says, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Finally, in Mark 11:25, Jesus says, “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Perhaps we need to amend “the Lord’s Prayer. We could just remove that sentence from the prayer.
Forgiving all others does not ignore there are those who are incapable of experiencing a shared reality or considering the needs or rights of other. That is not a choice. Some may need to be in a loving, protective environment. They do not deserve to be treated or as less deserving of love and respect.
As we Christians approach the season, which is termed Lent perhaps, we need to rethink our commitment to this prayer.
Written February 11, 2024
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
RSS Feed