03-11-25

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
March 11, 2025
How challenging is it for you to utter the words, “I’m sorry”? I’m not referring to instances where you genuinely didn’t do anything wrong, nor am I talking about situations where someone attempts to manipulate you into feeling responsible for something you didn’t do. I’m referring to the moments when you made a mistake, certain words spewed from your lips before you had time to think, you simply chose to be a jerk, and there are a few others we’d probably all agree belong on the list. It’s interesting that in looking at a half dozen different translations of the scripture, I can’t find a specific reference to someone saying, “I am sorry.” Jacob, as he approached Esau, was probably going to seek forgiveness, yet Esau hugged him and the two wept. There was no apology. The prodigal son was practicing an apology on his way to visit his father, but his father does not give him a moment to offer his well-rehearsed words. In Luke 19:8, Zacchaeus, a tax collector, expresses remorse, but at no point does he say, “I am sorry.” There might be an example in 1 Samuel 15, but it’s a stretch. Maybe you can point me to some examples that I have overlooked. Yet, I still think it is not only important to apologize, but it is Christ-like to say, “I am sorry,” even though we have no example of Jesus saying to anyone, “I am sorry.” With all this said, I find it interesting that the Bible seems more interested in teaching us to forgive than it is teaching us to apologize. Do you have any ideas why?

Whether I am forgiving or seeking to be forgiven, I pray for the capacity to reflect you, Merciful God, in all that I do. Amen.