God's Mercy and Forgiveness

04-13-2025Pastor's LetterVery Rev. Richard C. Wilson, VF, Pastor

Dear Friends in Christ,

Today, we read the narrative of the Passion from the Gospel of Luke. According to this evangelist, Jesus entering Jerusalem to a joyous parade of palms and the Passion narrative are mutually related. This is so even though the first part is jubilant while the second part is humiliating and degrading.

Jesus enters Jerusalem as a messianic king, humble, peaceful, with a servant's attitude, not as a temporal king using and abusing his power. The cross is the throne from which He reigns. He is not missing the royal crown by loving and forgiving. Luke's Gospel can, indeed, be summarized by saying it reveals Jesus' love through His all-encompassing mercy and forgiveness.

Jesus' mercy and forgiveness are certainly shown throughout His life, but more clearly upon His crucifixion. How meaningful are the three words we can hear at the Cross, from Jesus' lips today!

• He loves and forgives even his executioners: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do” (Lk 23:34).

• To the thief at His right, who asked Jesus to remember him forever in His Kingdom, Jesus grants forgiveness and salvation: “Today you will be with me in Paradise” (Lk 23:43).

• Above all, Jesus manifests His forgiveness and love in the supreme moment of His submission when He cries out: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” (Lk 23:46).

This is our Savior’s last lesson at the Cross: mercy and forgiveness, the fruits of love. But forgiving is so difficult for us! Nevertheless, by experiencing in our own lives the saving and forgiving love of Jesus, it should be easier for us to look at others with compassion—a compassion that forgives with love and absolves without meanness.

Saint Francis of Assisi expresses it in his Canticle of the Creatures: “Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon for Your love.”

All the best…in Christ,

Father Wilson