"Father, Forgive Them"

 A-Poem-a-Day Until Resurrection Day

FATHER, FORGIVE THEM

 

It’s Good Friday

and I’m doing what I usually do—

meditating on the Cross

and then writing a poem

 

Today I am thinking about forgiveness

and unforgiveness

thinking one of the things

that makes me marvel about Jesus

is that He looked down

upon the very men who mocked Him

the ones who scourged Him

who spat in His innocent face

then crowned Him with a twisted ring of thorns

and drove nails through His hands and feet

 

Yes, He looked at them

with unfathomable mercy

in His unspeakable agony

and implored His Father

 

…forgive them

for they know not what they do

 

Then I think of myself

of injustices done to me

by people I’ve loved

people I’ve tried to forgive

and have forgiven

then taken back my forgiveness

over and over and over again

I’ve mulled over life’s unfairness

replayed injustices, feeling righteous

feeling justified

 

then am reminded (like today)

that all have sinned

so I let go and forgive again

and really want to

for God has forgiven me

so who am I

to remember puny injustices

against myself

 

Today, Jesus, as I meditate upon Your love

and the magnitude of Your sacrifice

my old wounds are infinitesimal

I don’t want to harbor them

anymore

 

I’m asking for Your help

this Good Friday afternoon

 

Help me let it all go—

 

forever

 

Maude Carolan Pych