Photo by Daniele Colucci on Unsplash
Pardon is your name,
Forgiveness your eternal title,
by “Mercy as vast as the universe” are you known.
Grant me, O Gracious One,
your great gift of pardon.
I have searched for it
in every pocket and hiding place;
I cannot find it, your gift of Self.
I know it is here,
buried beneath my pain,
somewhere in a back corner of my heart:
but for now it is lost.
Make me your messenger
of the good news I cannot now speak.
Give to me words of forgiveness,
the healing touch of pardon,
the love that weds two as one.
I know that to forgive is divine,
but I am no deity,
and I fear I will be a demon,
who, by failing to forgive,
will spread the kingdom of darkness.
Remind me ten times and more
of all that you have forgiven me-
without even waiting for my sorrow,
the very instant that I slipped and sinned.
Remind me ten thousand times and more
of your endless absolution,
not even sorrow required on my part,
so broad the bounty of your love.
Yes, I can – I will – forgive
as you have forgiven me.
Edward Hays 1931-2016 American Catholic Priest
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For if you forgive others their trespasses,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you,
but if you do not forgive others their trespasses,
neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.