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REFLECTION

Restoration in forgiveness is the theme for our reflection. We shall recall that during Jesus’ arrest and persecution, Peter denied Jesus three times before others. After Jesus’ resurrection, he appeared to the disciples. John’s Gospel recounts that “When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” (John 21:15). Jesus asked the question three times to receive an assurance from Peter whom Jesus was going to entrust to shepherd or provide leadership for the early Church together with the other Apostles.

Dear friend, Peter’s earlier denial or rejection of Jesus when he needed him most was clearly and indication that Peter could not be trusted, therefore, should not be considered for the position of leadership in the early Church. In fact, if it were to be a worldly establishment, Peter would have been fired for disloyalty to His Master, but regardless of all that had transpired, Jesus restored trust and leadership responsibility to Peter through forgiveness. Peter and the other disciples received restoration in or through forgiveness. Beloved in the Lord, there are people we are unable to get close to for the past months or years because of guilt. We may have hurt them and, in the process, fractured our relationship with them. Similarly, there are people who are unable to come close to us because they have lost our loyalty and trust. Their offense and guilt had made it difficult for them to come close to us or relate with us the way it was in the past. Regardless of how hurt and fractured our relationship is, we are to remember that there is restoration in forgiveness, it was for this purpose Jesus assures us that “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”(John 3:16-17). As we observe lent, one of the requirements from our Lord Jesus is for us to restore our broken relationships through forgiveness. Indeed, lent prepares us for Easter, which is the commemoration of the greatest act of restoration in forgiveness. An offended or hurting spouse must forgive his or her spouse so that the marriage relationship will be restored. In our churches, homes, and society, those of us who have been offended or hurt must use the lent season and be inspired by these reflections to restore our broken relationship through forgiveness. We recall the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32, when the prodigal son returned home with remorse seeking forgiveness, his father restored his sonship, and the family bond through forgiveness. Truly, without genuine forgiveness, restoration of our relationship and fellowship with others is impossible. No matter how difficult it is for us to forgive, we must remember that we are disciples and servants of Jesus and must allow God’s will to be done in our lives. Jesus’ will for His faithful followers is to seek restoration in forgiveness. What are you waiting for? Pick your phone and call that person or arrange a meeting to restore the broken relationship through forgiveness. This is the will of the Lord for all true worshippers. Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, heal our broken hearts and that of the people we have hurt through our actions and inaction. Helps us to restore our relationship through forgiveness in this lent season and beyond. Amen