22nd Day in Lent- The Lord's Prayer- The Fifth Petition

"Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us."

Sin.  It is all around us.  It is deep within us.  It causes so much pain among people and in God's creation.  The quote today by Steven McFadden in The Little Book of Native American Wisdom speaks volumes.  "We know that we are the ones who are divided and we are the ones who must come back together."  The good news is that we are not without hope.  It begins with God who in infinite love gave his Son to forgive humanity of its sin.  For this reason we can pray, "Forgive us our sins" and know that God, by God's grace, does forgive us.  Knowing that, we can forgive others, and seek forgiveness from others, when we have done wrong.  This is essential in healthy families and communities, as we all make mistakes that cause harm, and we all need to forgive and be forgiven.  This is how we begin to "come back together." This is how unity and healing is possible.  "Lord, let my prayer bring healing and unity to others and the earth." Amen