Sunday, June 16, 2002
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Sunday, June 16, 2002 |
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Forgive those who trespass against us By MARY JANE HOLT
In a recent e-mail, a reader forwarded the following story:
"A young lady named Sally, relates an experience she had in a seminary class, given by her teacher, Dr. Smith. She says Dr. Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons.
"One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary class and knew they were in for a fun day. On the wall was a big target, and on a nearby table were many darts. Dr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone they disliked or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to throw darts at the person's picture, if they wished.
"Sally's girlfriend drew a picture of a girl who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on the face. Sally was pleased with the overall effect she had achieved.
"The class lined up and began throwing darts. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripped apart. Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats.
"As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target, Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall. Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus.
"A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face, and His eyes were pierced.
"Dr. Smith said only these words... 'In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me.' Matthew 25:40."
Been there before, huh? Me, too.
For those of us who claim Jesus as the cornerstone upon which our faith is built, there is much to be considered when reading this little story. I don't know when it happened, but at some point in my life, Jesus became far more than a cornerstone.
I think it slipped up on me. You know how you can meet a person, and gradually get to know that person over the years, then wake up one day to realize he or she is the best friend you've ever had.
Although it may be possible to immediately recognize another as a real soul mate, it's usually a series of shared experiences that precedes such recognition.
I truly do not recall a specific experience that was the deciding one. I do recall many times when I have felt that Jesus, and only Jesus, understood, that he and he alone stood with me in the battle of the hour, either for or against something, some idea, some concept, some set of circumstances
But you know what? I don't recall ever thinking he stood with me as I chose to judge another. On the contrary, I believe he has always whispered in my ear ever so softly, and far more tenderly that I deserved, "There but for our Father's grace is the path you could be walking"
There are reasons for the wording of The Lord's Prayer to be as they are, and as they have been since Jesus first prayed them so long ago. There is a reason that the heroes of Flight 93 recited the words of that prayer before they went willingly to their deaths, for you and me. There are reasons too numerous to count why we should take the words to heart and pray them daily, from the heart.
"Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one,
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