Chapter 13: Lauds on ordinary days (paragraph 2)
It is important that the celebration of Lauds and Vespers should never be concluded without the recitation by the superior of the whole of the Lord's prayer so that all may hear and attend to it. This is because of the harm that is often done in a community by the thorns of conflict which can arise.
(From para. 2 of Ch. 13 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)
To forgive as I am forgiven is to transform the stubborn patterns that ensnare human relationships. To forgive as I am forgiven is to accept others as I accept myself. To accept myself is to accept that my fundamental relationship is with God who already loves me, and to experience this through meditation.
“Forgive us as we forgive”. How many times I forgive with words but the heart holds on to resentment. Moving close to “Our Father”, day after day in meditation, can I become like Him Who does not hold onto my transgressions but “re-moves” them “as far as east is from the west” and “crowns me with love and compassion” wishing only “good things” for me? It would have to be a complete turn around, a reversal, a conversion.
ReplyDeleteThe Divine Promise: I will be forgiven as I forgive others.
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