Scripture Reading: Luke 23:34
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment and cast lots

Reflections: Despite the fact that Pilate found no fault in him, he sentenced Jesus to death by crucifixion. As a result, Jesus was paraded through the streets while bearing the hefty crucifixion cross on his shoulders. At Cavalry, the area for crucifixion, the soldiers put Jesus through the brutal process of nailing him to the cross. When it was over, they waited for him to die. In the midst of his great suffering and humiliation, Jesus prayed and asked God to forgive his foes and killers since they lacked comprehension of what they had done to him. He, therefore, exemplified forgiveness as a vital Christian virtue. From its Greek rendition ‘Aphiemi’, forgiveness means to ‘overlook an offence, and treat the offender as not guilty’. Psychologists, therefore, define forgiveness as a ‘conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they deserve your forgiveness’. As you celebrate Easter, remember that no matter what people do to you, like Jesus Christ, you must disregard the offence and treat the offenders as innocent. That is what forgiveness is all about! Happy Easter!

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to forgive those who offend me and treat them as innocent.

Confessions: I forgive those who offend me and treat them as not guilty.