Beyond the Pulpit 9.8.24
Good Morning CUMC!
I don’t have the easy plan, or the five-steps for forgiving even the most abhorrent actions. What I do know is that the more we speak into and step alongside the brokenness in people’s lives with compassion and kindness, the less room evil has to reside and flourish. In other words, may our prayers for the families impacted by the shooting this weekend translate into individual and collective gentle words and acts of mercy and justice for all God’s people. And, maybe, somewhere along the way, evil might be crowded out by the force of love moving in us, among us, and through us. And then, forgiveness happens.
In the meantime, we gather for worship this week to relearn how God leads us into lives of meaningful relationship with God and with one another. May we gather to sing, to fellowship, to listen, and to pray together as Jesus taught us, with the words, “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Amen.