Gen.
18:20-1, 23-32; Col. 2:6-14; Lk. 11:1-13
Leo
Tolstoy’s “God Sees the Truth, But Waits” is a parable of forgiveness.
Ivan
Demetrievich Aksenov was a merchant living in the town of Vladimir. One day he
planned to go to a fair as a business venture, but his wife pleaded for him not
to go
because of a nightmare she had the previous night. She said that all his
hair had gone gray when he returned from the fair. Aksenov ignored his wife's
dream and left for the fair.
Aksenov
met another merchant on his way, and the two decided to travel together. They
checked into an inn and retired separately. Aksenov woke early the next morning
to get to the fair and left without the other merchant. Not far down the road,
Aksenov was stopped by the police. They explained that a merchant was just
murdered and robbed in the town, and they searched Aksenov's bag. They found a
bloody knife, and despite Aksenov's claims of innocence, he was sentenced to be
flogged and sent to Siberia.
Aksenov
spent twenty-six years in Siberia. Slowly he gave up his desire for revenge,
resigned to his fate, and dedicated his life to God. He became a mediator of
sorts in the prison, and he was well respected by the other prisoners and
guards alike. One day a new prisoner, Makar Semonovich, was transferred to the
prison. After overhearing several conversations, Aksenov discovered that Makar
Semonovich was the man who committed the murder for which Aksenov was blamed.
One
day the prison guards noticed that someone had been strewing mud around the
grounds, and the search led to the discovery of a tunnel. Aksenov had found out
earlier that it was Makar Semonovich who was digging the tunnel, but even after
being questioned by the police, Aksenov declared that it was not his place to
speak about the matter. Makar Semonovich approached Aksenov later that day in a
terrible state, and he confessed eventually his crime. Aksenov forgave Makar
Semonovich, and he felt as if a terrible weight had been lifted.
In
the prayer that Jesus taught, He added a clause, “Forgive us as we forgive our
trespassers”. Forgiveness is the central
problem of life. Sin is a sense of separation from God, and is the major
tragedy of human experience. Whenever sin increased, God’s inevitable punishment
was pronounced. Many a time we find mediators, pleading with God, for the sake
of humanity. The first reading gives an instance of Abraham’s pleading with God
to spare Sodom and Gomorrah, even if there were only ten just men in the city.
We
often think, what is the use of one man observing justice, while the whole
world around is reeling in injustice. The first reading is the answer to this
question. The just life of one man, can
save the whole world from the punishment of God. Whenever we do a little act of
kindness, whenever we extend a helping hand to the needy, whenever we console
an ailing friend, whenever we adhere to truth, we contribute to the goodness in
the world. No good action, however trivial it appears, will go futile.
The
Prayer that Jesus taught us covers all life. It covers past sins. When we pray
we cannot do other than praying for forgiveness. The primary condition to accept God’s
forgiveness is to extend our forgiveness to others.
If
our prayers are not being answered, we should search our consciousness, and see
if there is someone whom we have yet to forgive. Find out if there is some old
thing about which we are very resentful. Search and see if we are not really
holding a grudge against someone.
Secondly,
it covers the present need. It tells us to pray for our daily bread. When the
people of Israel were fed with “Manna” (Ex 16:11-21) they were directed to
gather only what was enough for the day. We are not to worry about the unknown
future, but to live a day at a time.
Cardinal Newman prayed for the strength to keep the next step.
Lead, kindly Light, amid th'encircling gloom;
Lead thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home;
Lead thou me on!
Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene--one step enough for me
Since
we are filled with remorse about the past and anxiety about the future we
forget the present. We often ponder over what we could not do yesterday, or
what we will do tomorrow, so we fail to
see the obligations of today. Hence Jesus reminds us to live “today”.
Thirdly,
it covers future trials. “Temptation” means “any testing situation”. It
includes every situation that is a challenge to and a test of a person’s
integrity and fidelity. As one grows more and more intense in spiritual life,
the trials that he has to overcome too increase. As we advance, new and powerful temptations
await us on the path, ever ready to hurl us down, if we are not watchful.
To
emphasize the importance of persevering in prayer, Jesus gave the story of a
friend who arrived at midnight and the necessity to go next door to one’s
neighbour to borrow loaves of bread.
Jesus
concluded His teaching by saying that “If you ask, it will be given to you.”
Our prayers are answered by not granting what we ask, but by giving what we
need.
I asked for strength…….
And God gave me difficulties to make me
strong.
I asked for wisdom…
And God gave me problems to solve
I asked for prosperity…
And God gave me Brain and Brawn to work
I asked for courage…
And God gave me Danger to overcome
I asked for love….
And God gave me Troubled people to help
I asked for Favours….
And God gave me opportunities.
I received nothing I wanted…
I received everything I needed, my
prayer have been answered.
Satish