Reconcile

And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors (Lk.11, 4)

Often, forgiving others we still feel some sort of estrangement towards them. But in that case we should expect the same from the Lord: “With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again” (Mt.7, 2) – says the Lord. If we think to ourselves: “I would like to forgive, but I can’t” – we are unworthy to approach our Lord with a prayer of forgiveness. Better leave everything, your prayer, your labor and make peace with everyone and only then turn to God again. Beware God tells you: “O thou, wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because you desiredst me: shouldest not thou also have had compassion of thy fellow servant?” (Mt.18, 32-33) We will be forgiven as much as we forgive. Only the power of the Cross of Christ can free us from unforgivingness and let us forgive as we are forgiven by the Lord.

“God in Christ reconciled the world unto Himself, not imputing people’s trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto them the word of reconciliation” (2 Cor.5, 19). “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 Jn.1, 9).

In the beginning years of Christianity there were two friends, who lived somewhere in Antioch, presbyter Sapricios and layman Nicephoros. Through the onset of a disagreement they quarreled, and their former love changed into enmity and hate. At the same time the Christians started to be persecuted, and one of the first taken before the judgment court was presbyter Sapricios. He firmly confessed himself a Christian and was condemned to death. When they took him to execution, Nicephoros tearfully entreated his forgiveness, calling on him as an holy matyr but presbyter Sapricios remained hardened of heart and refused to forgive his brother-Christian. This happened several times. Nicephoros followed Sapricious to the place of execution and even there was asking for forgiveness but Sapricios still refused. And then what?

At the very last minute he got scared of execution, renounced Christ and consented to offer sacrifice to idols. And the words of Apostle Paul came true upon him: “He that hateth his brother is in darkness… and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes” (1 Jn.2, 11). Nicephoros confessed himself as a Christian and received a martyr crown.