Topic: Forgiveness

Only when the world models itself on the self-sacrificial love and mercy we have seen in Jesus will it be saved from the cycles of apocalyptic violence and chaos.

Forgiving the way Jesus does will always be seen as not just disreputable, but even dangerous and criminal.

The resurrection of Jesus is the most confronting and terrifying news imaginable, and all we can do (after trying to run) is surrender ourselves to his grace.

Are we, individually and together, focused on the things that we can be doing, that will enable us to embrace and nurture the growth of Christ’s values, withstanding opposition to them?

We are called to confront and oppose the abuse of power, but also to continue to love and offer forgiveness to those whose actions we are opposing.

We are bringing upon ourselves a global catastrophe, but the prophet Joel assures us that ultimately God will save his people.

Jesus becomes a victim of our systems of feeding on one another in order to forgive us, set us free, and nourish us for life.

God’s new culture of forgiveness is entered by faith, and sometimes it is even vicarious faith.

In the encounter with Jesus, our self-delusion and our scapegoating are painfully exposed, but with the possibility of forgiveness and freedom.

Every relationship in the universe – between God and creation, between humans, and between humans and creation – is driven by three dynamics: justice, mercy and faith.

The decision to repent and accept Christ’s gift of forgiveness and life involves a life change which includes a new willingness to honour and serve Christ in the stranger.

God is deeply hurt and offended by our rejection of God in favour of things that are worthless, but Jesus has made possible both our forgiveness and our reconciliation.