Every day, perhaps without thinking too much about it, we pray the Lord’s Prayer. It’s built into us from when we were little kids.
- When we wake, “Our Father, who art in heaven …”
- When we sit down to eat, “Our Father, who art in heaven …”
- Before we lay down to sleep, “Our Father, who art in heaven …”
It’s a prayer that’s constantly on our lips. But, have you ever thought about the words and how they direct our lives? For example, near the end of the prayer we say, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” What does this mean?
It’s a call to action.
Christianity isn’t just an ethnic heritage, nor is it a cultural identity. It’s a way of life. To be a Christian is to live a particular way, and this includes forgiving one another.
This Sunday, many Orthodox Churches will hold Forgiveness Vespers. This is where the rubber meets the road. This is where we are given the opportunity to practice the prayer that’s always on our lips.
When I was a catechumen, the priest told the congregation that Forgiveness Vespers was the most important service of the year. In fact, he said it was so important that in order to experience Pascha, you first have to experience Forgiveness Vespers. Resurrection and forgiveness are linked.
So, I invite all of you, make time to attend Forgiveness Vespers this Sunday. Find the schedule of your home parish, and be with your Church family.
All of us need to ask forgiveness, but we also need to be forgiven. Experience a foretaste of the Kingdom to come by participating in this ancient and most important rite.