August 13

Fourth Tuesday after Trinity

Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. S. Luke 6:37.

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." We all have a place in that prayer, in that stretching forth of His Hands to God, for all are guilty of that death. Often has the like been repeated for us by the mediations of our merciful High Priest. But the more immediate occasion of that prayer may bring back to us all, with great power, this remembrance of Him in the offering up of Himself. For never was such hate and cruelty shown as then, never such love expressed. Divine love not only forgives, and prays for forgiveness on bitterest enemies, but sees and takes hold of causes, however slight, for pity and pardon, "for they know not what they do." How different is it with men or the illwill which they feel for any affront or injury; how apt are we to put the worst interpretation on what is done. What so conducive to a better mind as this remembrance. "Here for them do I shed My Blood, and do Thou, O Father, forgive them." He Who had no sin, and could see the hearts of men, could behold a place for His forgiveness; this was His consolation in that bitter cup, that they had not yet passed the bounds of His mercy. In the Sacrament of His Body and Blood how earnestly should we pray for one drop of this mercy for each other, one ray of charity, and,

Our souls provoked by lesser ills, Should yield the pardon we require so much, Forbearing others every hour we live, Seeking forgiveness, called on to forgive— Forgiveness,—purchased and most precious gem Amid the jewels of God's diadem.