Sermon: "The Process of Forgiveness"
The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg
Third Bishop of East Tennessee

I hope everyone here is aware of the "Peanuts" cartoon strip. It has been great fun to read for many years now - and besides that, it often offers helpful theological perspectives. For instance, one day we see Lucy holding a balloon by a string … and she puts the sting into the dog Snoopy's mouth. Lucy says, "I'm going in for lunch, Snoopy. Hold this for me." Then, as she leaves, she says, "Whatever you do, don't let go of the string!" Snoopy sits down, holding onto the balloon string … and he sits and sits. After a while, he starts to nod off - and he yawns. Of course, the balloon rises into the air, no longer held by the string in Snoopy's mouth. Suddenly, he rouses himself, and his ears shoot up in terror as he realizes what has happened. And the final frame of the cartoon shows Snoopy walking along under a nighttime sky, carrying a bag on his shoulder, and saying, "Make one mistake, and you pay for it the rest of your life!"

Now, even though we may think that way from time to time, that is not the message of the Christian faith. In fact, Snoopy's words identify precisely what the Christian message is not. "Make one mistake, and you pay for it the rest of your life!" In spite of what we sometimes may say or think, Christianity does not teach that point of view at all. Actually, what we believe is quite the opposite.

What we do teach - in part - is what John the Baptist represents to us. Over and over again - sometimes quite vividly - John the Baptist teaches and preaches repentance for the forgiveness of sins. That message is fundamental for people about to be confirmed … and for people as they consider a church home or some other major decision … and for everyone who can hear my voice. The Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaims a message anticipated by John the Baptist. We are called to repent, with the clear expectation that forgiveness will follow.

Now, "repentance" may sound like one of those religious words that we file away somewhere and bring out only on Sundays. But actually there is no great mystery about repentance … nor does it have only a religious connotation. What repentance means, simply, is turning around. To repent is to turn around … to change direction. Therefore, the true repentance we pray for involves reorientation of our lives - or, parts of our lives … turning around … changing direction.

It is important, however, to recognize a step prior to the one of repentance - prior, that is, to turning around. And, as obvious as this is, sometimes we overlook it. Before we can repent, we must have an accurate view of reality. Before we can change direction, we have to be clear about where we are headed in the first place. Thus, we must be honest and truthful about the realities of our lives, our priorities, and our direction.

In my experience, many people - many of us - short circuit the process of forgiveness right at this first step. We refuse to be truthful and honest about some situation or circumstance or relationship. But God cannot forgive what we do not repent of. And we cannot repent of something that we do not admit.

In the first place, therefore, we must be honest about reality. Snoopy must admit his mistake, if he wants to be forgiven. We must recognize our part in some disagreement or misunderstanding or unhealthy behavior. Thus, to use another religious word, we must confess whatever the circumstance happens to be - honestly and truthfully. At that point - and only then - we are able to change direction, to turn around, to modify our behavior, once we recognize what that behavior is. And thus it is that we repent.

Then comes God's part. The action of God is to offer us forgiveness. Our God is one who forgives. That is the biblical message - from the wandering and, often, disobedient people in the wilderness to Jesus Christ on the cross. That image - Christ on the cross - surely provides us with the most vivid sign of God's will to forgive. Even as Jesus hangs there - suspended by nails, mocked, spit on, humiliated - even then, as he is dying, he prays to God the Father, "Forgive them" … "Forgive them" - even them.

With that image in mind, how can we doubt that God's will is to forgive us all? And how can we doubt that there is anything that God cannot forgive, if only we seek that forgiveness? Indeed, God's will includes forgiveness of us all - for all our sins and trespasses and evil thoughts and inappropriate words and unfaithful actions … everything.

So, there you have in simple terms the process of forgiveness, which is absolutely essential for Christian living in a fallen world. It is also the fundamental intent of the season of Advent … this time of repentance and preparation for Jesus Christ. And, it presents the substance of the call of God, the Father, to us, who are God's children.

First, then, accept reality. Open your eyes and pay attention. Know and admit what the truth is about your life, as best you can tell. Secondly, repent. Turn around from walking the way of old, destructive habits and ways of living. Change direction in life. And finally, accept God's forgiveness. The message of the Gospel assures us that God wills to forgive us. If we have a clear view of reality in our eyes and a desire to repent in our hearts, then God will forgive us.

Therefore, today, for John the Baptist, who calls on us to repent, for Jesus Christ, who assures us of forgiveness, and for God our Father, who wills to forgive us of all things, thanks be to God! Amen.

Copyright © 2001 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee