Cal Oren
18-03-2002, 07:14 PM
Last night our Parish participated in this incredibly moving and profound rite. One by one, we had the opportunity to face off with each one of our brothers and sisters in Christ, to make a prostration in honor of the image of Christ that lives within that person, to ask and then receive their forgiveness for any sins and offenses against them, and to embrace them in the name of Christ, our great Example of Forgiveness.
I had the overwhelming sense that for at least a moment in time, I could almost hear the machinery of Hell grinding to a halt. Satan can only make headway in the Church to the extent that he can foster resentment and discord. We have the opportunity every day - and particularly on Forgiveness Sunday - to cause him no end of frustration when we say sincerely those two simple words: "I forgive."
As a former Protestant, I am baffled as to how such a profoundly moving service was lost. But then again, if it had been practiced sincerely and consistently over the years, how would schism have ever have taken place?
I had the overwhelming sense that for at least a moment in time, I could almost hear the machinery of Hell grinding to a halt. Satan can only make headway in the Church to the extent that he can foster resentment and discord. We have the opportunity every day - and particularly on Forgiveness Sunday - to cause him no end of frustration when we say sincerely those two simple words: "I forgive."
As a former Protestant, I am baffled as to how such a profoundly moving service was lost. But then again, if it had been practiced sincerely and consistently over the years, how would schism have ever have taken place?