Father Forgive Them

Jesus was a man who kept the company of men
Till he got betrayed by one of them
And surely that must have been the biggest sin
But in his final hour, he even forgave him
And what he asked you then, well I now ask you too
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do

I used to play and sing this old Ralph McTell song many years ago. Thankfully I don’t know – but it still challenges me…

It tells of the man Jesus, who lived with men and talked with men… who taught about forgiveness, told stories about forgiveness… demonstrating forgiveness whilst living, praying forgiveness whilst dying…

Father, forgive them

For they too have their cross to bear
In your love, please let them share
For Jesus would have understood
And brought them home to you
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do

We want someone to blame for all that’s wrong… wars, climate change, rising costs, poverty, poor education, inadequate healthcare… We name names and point the finger…

We blame individuals in our communities, churches, families for problems, disagreements, unfairness. Old bitterness remains; old scars are easily reopened. Jesus says it’s not about blame; it’s about forgiveness.

Father, forgive them

Most of us are troubled and we cannot understand
Anything that doesn’t fall into our scheme or plan
But we have made the rules, and we must share the blame
For it’s we who make outsiders, and it’s we who give them names
And while we’re praying for them, what we really ought to do
Is say, Father, forgive them, but please, forgive us too

Life’s complicated. I don’t always understand what’s going on and I certainly can’t control it. If I’m not blaming people I’m focusing on their needs, problems and faults. At best I’m helping, supporting and praying for them. Conveniently it diverts attention from my faults. It’s then I must pray…

…Father, forgive them, but please, forgive me too.