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Father forgive April 13, 2011

While preparing a sermon on Christ’s words ‘Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing’ I found a most moving report from an American called David Douglas. It’s over a decade old but it powerfully describes his experience of visiting Coventry Cathedral and the implications it has for forgiveness. Report here: Coventry Cathedral’s Message of Forgiveness.

Continuing the theme, there was a good discussion on a radio programme I caught today about forgiveness. Someone quoted Archbishop Tutu who is credited with saying that forgiving someone a wrong they have committed against you ‘draws out the sting in your memory that threatens to poison your existence’. I shall have to quote him in my sermon; a helpful reminder that forgiving someone is also for your own sake as well as the perpetrator’s.