Tuesday, November 10, 2020

2020 Veterans Day Letter

11 November 2020, Anno Domini

For God and the soldier we adore, In time of danger, not before!

The danger passed, and all thing righted, God is forgotten and the soldier slighted.

- Rudyard Kipling

Mr. Kipling’s observance is prophetic and pitiful. How could a nation forget the valor and sacrifice made in time, resources, and even blood, of our men and women in the profession of arms? Yet, it is a recurring episode in the history of all nations. Young men and women have left the comforts of hearth and home to go onto the cold, or insufferably hot, battlefields of far-flung wars to protect the honor, freedom and integrity of the United States against enemies who are ungodly and respect only the god of power. Should not a grateful nation forever remember such sacrifices made on its behalf? Consider the quote of Rudyard Kipling – that quote covers both God and soldier that we forget in times of peace or plenty.

There have even been times when that enemy raised its ugly head from among our own people. But it has ever been the duty and oath of the soldier to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” The combat soldier is God’s minister to preserve peace and to protect the rights and privileges of a free people. In so doing, he is willing to forfeit his own life in the undertaking. Thankfully, that full sacrifice is not always required.

The legacy of the American soldier began on the distant plains of Lexington and before Concord Township when an unorganized and rabble army of farmer-soldiers faced the most advanced Army any European power could field. Then came Bunker Hill at which more than a thousand enemy soldiers were casualties of that rag-tag army who lost less than half that number.

There is one great Soldier who knew the consequences of His service for us – our Lord Jesus Christ. He did so knowing the cruel death He would suffer on our behalf. Have we forgotten that as well? Have we incorporated our faith into our duties as citizens to elect men and women to political office whose views reflect an appreciation for our faith? If not, we will suffer the same fate as Tyre, Sidon, Sodom, and Gomorrah.

CONCORD HYMN

by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sung at the Completion of the Battle Monument, 4 July 1837

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,

Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,

Here once the embattled farmers stood

And fired the shot heard round the world.

The foe long since in silence slept;

Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;

And Time the ruined bridge has swept

Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.

On this green bank, by this soft stream,

We set today a votive stone;

That memory may their deed redeem,

When, like our sires, our sons are gone.

Spirit, that made those heroes dare

To die, and leave their children free,

Bid Time and Nature gently spare

The shaft we raise to them and thee.

Remember those “Stones of Remembrance” which have been erected to the memory of our gallant defenders. Never allow the escutcheon of the United States to suffer the smearing scourge of those who would erase the memory of our heroes and our great institutions.

God bless our great American Republic and those valiant veterans who have borne the brunt of battle in her defense.

Jerry L. Ogles

Presiding Bishop

United States of America

Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide

Let us pray,

For the Armed Services. BCP 41

LORD God of Hosts, stretch forth, we pray thee, thine almighty arm to strengthen and protect the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, coastguardsmen and contractors of our country. Support them in the day of battle, and in the time of peace keep them safe from all evil; endue them with courage and loyalty; and grant that in all things they may serve without reproach; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

LMIGHTY God, we give you thanks for those who answered our country’s call, who rode towards the sound of gunfire and did not cower. We give you thanks for those who are with us today and for those who are with you for ever more. Lord, we give you thanks for the sacrifice made on our behalf by them and their families. Lord we ask that you give us warriors who will follow your way on behalf of our country, all of which we ask in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hymns of the Church – I will lift mine eyes up unto the hills – 10 November 2020, Anno Domini

A Song of Degrees

WILL lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. * 2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. 3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. 4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. 6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. 8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. (Psalm 121)

For many years, I have written about the importance of reverence, dignity, and formality in hymn-singing. There is no better example of that principle than that which we find in the songs, or Psalms, inspired by God and not man. If an act of worship is worth doing at all, it is worth doing right; and God has given us wonderful examples of the kind of hymns that are worthy of worship and adulation of the Most High God! The Book of Psalms is the most quoted Old Testament book of the New Testament.

The lyrics of this hymn today come from the very breathed Word of God to His servant, the Psalmist. The tune for the original is lost in antiquity; however, we do have reverent tunes that are appropriate for this beautiful hymn of truth and love. In the ancient church, the only hymns sung were Psalms. Later, this practice was restored and encouraged by the Reformers. The Book of Common Prayer of the Reformation Church of England provides Psalms in meter to be sung or orally recited antiphonally. Here is a note taken from Encyclopedia Britannica regarding Psalms-singing:

Psalmody, singing of psalms in worship. In biblical times professional singers chanted psalms during Jewish religious services. Occasionally, the congregation interpolated a short refrain between the chanted verses. The alternation of soloist and chorus was called responsorial psalmody. Another method, antiphonal psalmody, was the alternation by two half choirs in the singing of psalm lines or half lines. (Editor’s note: these are designated in the Prayer Book Psalter by an asterisk at which point the congregants respond). Psalms were also sung without either refrain or alternating singers (direct psalmody). These methods of psalmody were adopted by the early Christian Church in the East and West. Early Christian psalmody was the germ from which evolved both the classical Gregorian chant and also the Byzantine, Ambrosian, and other Christian chants.

These words for the Psalm were rearranged to provide a meter whereby the singing could smoothly progress in rhyme. This version is taken from the Scottish Psalter of 1650 and is generally sung to the tune, FRENCH:

Psalm 121

I to the hills will lift mine eyes,

from whence doth come mine aid.

My safety cometh from the Lord,

who heav’n and earth hath made.

Thy foot he’ll not let slide,

nor will he slumber that thee keeps.

Behold, he that keeps Israel,

he slumbers not, nor sleeps.

The Lord thee keeps, the Lord thy shade

on thy right hand doth stay:

The moon by night thee shall not smite,

nor yet the sun by day.

The Lord shall keep thy soul; he shall

preserve thee from all ill.

Henceforth thy going out and in

God keep for ever will.

1 I to the hills will lift mine eyes, from whence doth come mine aid. 2 My safety cometh from the Lord, who heav’n and earth hath made. There are lonely moments in the heart of man when there seems to be no other to whom we might turn but God. These lonely moments may be those during which we have taken a stand for righteousness when all others condone sin and its practice; or it may be at the loss of family and friends which have departed; or it may be during moments of grave danger when all hope seems forlorn; or, finally, it may be the moment at which death is very near and one must pass through that dark door all alone – all who die, die ALONE (except for those who die in Christ and are escorted by the angels at the time of death). But our Lord God is ever on High to observe our plight and to intercede on our behalf. The greatest and most joyful victories have occurred at times of least expectation. The Creator who made you and all of the universal heavens is able to save from every threat. We may even have been brought to a woeful experience for the purpose of focusing our attention on God. When my son was very young, I often had to withdraw his toys and distractions from his sight in order to get his full and unadulterated attention during counseling – so it is with God.

3 Thy foot he’ll not let slide, nor will he slumber that thee keeps. 4 Behold, he that keeps Israel, he slumbers not, nor sleeps. This verse is a repetition of God’s assurance given in many other parts of Holy Writ (including the 91^st Psalm): “9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.” Psalm 91:9-12 God cannot sleep, because all Creation is upheld by His divine Hand moment by moment. Moreover, there is no night of darkness in Heaven.

5 The Lord thee keeps, the Lord thy shade on thy right hand doth stay: 6 The moon by night thee shall not smite, nor yet the sun by day. The shade symbolizes defense. As a great Rock in a weary and wilderness land casts a shade of relief from the intense heat of the day, so does our Lord provide a Shade for His people during Wilderness journeys. Neither the blistering rays of the sun by day nor the cold nights over which the moon can generate no heat can vanquish the spirit of the people of God.

7 The Lord shall keep thy soul; he shall preserve thee from all ill. 8 Henceforth thy going out and in God keep for ever will. How much greater is the blessing of having one’s soul secure in Christ as opposed to being reserved for the fires of Hell! Those events of sorrow and hurt we experience in this life are transitory but they can even be less than that if our faith is sufficient to keep our heart stayed on God. If you have faith to trust and believe in the Word of God, you will fear no evil for even evil is turned into gain for the believer: “28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) The epic question here is: Do you believe this truth of God’s Word? He preserves the bodies of his people, oftentimes from diseases and disasters, and from death, till the appointed time comes; and then he preserves their dust in the grave, and raises it up at the last day; but more especially their souls, the redemption and salvation of which he undertook, and has effected; and which are preserved by him safe to his coming, kingdom, and glory.

Sunday, November 8, 2020

AOC Sunday Report - Twenty-Second Sunday after Trinity

Happy Twenty-Second Sunday after Trinity!

The AOC Sunday Report can be downloaded RIGHT HERE!

There are excellent sermons today from Bishop Jerry, Revs Jack and Bryan and once again Bishop Roy, of healing knee and beavers. They are really really good today. But, like always they come with a double your money back guarantee.

There are a lot of people who need your prayer, please start with Loretta, Bob, Shamu, Jim, Greg, David and the McKee family and work out from there. Please pray for our respective countries during this Covid fiasco and those of you in the United States of America, or dependent on it, for the current election to be resolved with honesty and honor.

There is a truly epic week ahead, but you will not come close to finding it without the help of that Third God Guy, the Holy Ghost.

Godspeed

Hap
Church of the Faithful Centurion
Descanso, California
United States of America

Twenty-Second Sunday after Trinity

Sermon - Rev Jack Arnold

Church of the Faithful Centurion - Descanso, California

Today’s sermon tied the Collect, Epistle and Gospel together and talked, as is oft the case, of the need for action, not simply diction and are all tied together. Today’s propers really put to lie the concept of the hermit Christian. When we talk about them, look how the Collect talks about the Household of God, what Bishop Cranmer styles as the Church, and how Paul speaks of the benefits of fellowship and joint prayer. If that were not enough, see how Jesus reminds us of the need for forgiveness and patience, things you only need if you interface with others.

Consider these words from the Collect:

… keep thy household the Church in continual godliness; that through thy protection it may be free from all adversities, and devoutly given to serve thee in good works, to the glory of thy Name …

In the Collect we ask the Lord to keep His household, (that would be the Church or us) in continual godliness (that is to keep Him as our leader and follow Him and the principles of Scripture), so that with His Help we can have as smooth a path as practical and serve Him in happiness. It also says through His protection we might be free from all adversities and to do good works for Him. By being free of adversities, it means in times of adversity God might give us the guidance needed to soar through these adversities and do good for Him.

This is only possible if we listen to the Scriptures and apply them with the help of the Holy Ghost. Without the help of the Holy Ghost, we cannot have His Protection and will not be able to keep on the straight and narrow uphill path towards heaven.

Saint Paul follows this same thought in his Epistle when he thanks the Philippians for their fellowship and talks about how their bond through Christ have strengthened his faith as a result which enabled him to continue doing good works for the Lord. He expresses his wishes for the Philippians to do the same and to keep growing in heart, soul and spirit, with their judgement and knowledge increasing as they allow the Holy Ghost in their hearts more and more.

And they would approve of godly things and their holiness would increase as they walk more and more with God. It ties in nicely with the collect asking for God to keep the Church in continual godliness. Our Lord accomplishes this by having our bonds strong in the church, He keeps us in that continual godliness. The more we love the Lord, the more it will show through in our actions and our judgment. So, let us keep loving the Lord, so our actions and judgment will align His!

Which brings us to the point of the Gospel, in which Christ tells Peter about forgiveness and how we must be ever patient with our fellow humans, and if they are repentant, grant them that forgiveness, no matter how many times they might err and vex us. It doesn’t matter if we want to or not, if they are truly repentant then we must forgive them, regardless of how we want to do otherwise. This is important as if we hold the evil of non-forgiveness in our hearts, it is to our own detriment. We would not be following the words of the collect of staying in godliness if we were to not forgive. For as God forgives, so must we forgive those who are truly sorry.

Holding non-forgiveness in our hearts is as bad for us as holding a grudge against an individual. It acts like a very slow acting poison. In the long term it can turn our soul from a bright light to a black soul if left unchecked. This is why Jesus councils us to never let the sun go down on our anger. If we hold non-forgiveness against an individual who is clearly penitent, then we are not acting like a Christian, but like our old unsaved selves. So, we need to let go of our anger and forgive others regardless if we like them or not. We should do unto others as we would like them to do to us, if the roles were reversed.

We can only forgive those sins against us, for those that are against God, only God can forgive. Contrary to the belief of the Roman Catholics, priests do not have this power. We can only pronounce God’s forgiveness. We don’t have God’s power of forgiving, is God doing the actual action of forgiveness, but it falls upon us to tell people about it. When one sins against a fellow creature, they sin against God also. When we say we forgive them, we are not forgiving them ourselves only, but informing them God has forgiven them for their sins. Remember, we can forgive them for personal trespasses against us, but through God’s power, only He can grant absolution of our sins, not us. Nowhere in Scripture does Christ tell Peter humans have the power to forgive sins, as the Roman Catholics claim they have, but rather God must forgive sins, but we can tell others God has forgiven them.

The parable illustrates what happens to those who are forgiven, but yet turn around and do not forgive their neighbor (in this case, a debtee) for their sins and have thus abused their forgiveness from Our Lord. If we follow this person’s path, we will find ourselves in a poor spot in eternal life; not only the eternal life, but our temporary life here on earth would be made more miserable by our abusing of the forgiveness. Let us not be like that fellow, but let us forgive our neighbor, if he is truly sorry and willing to repent and re-start the friendship, and turning a new leaf so to speak.

If God has been so good to forgive us, why should we not inform others God can and will forgive them of any sins against Him or us for that matter? It would be truly selfish not to do so and to go against what He has commanded us to do, in spreading the Word to all nations. This is why the Gospel is called the Good News, because God has forgiven us for our sins and sent His Son to die for us, that we might have eternal life instead of eternal damnation. This is the ultimate forgiveness, accounting us as perfect, when we are anything but.

Today’s propers speak of the power of Our Lord in forgiveness and how we must remember our bond with our fellow Christians in Christ, especially in times of great sorrow or trouble and use that to strengthen us in our day to day lives. We must always remember there are others in our heavenly family who are struggling along with us. With the help of the Holy Ghost and our bond with Christ, we shall not fail.

The Collect’s prayer, Epistle and Gospel tie together, laying out, detailing and reinforcing the same message, ultimately. We have to be willing to forgive others, tell them about God’s forgiveness, and not turn around and commit the grave error of not forgiving others as God has forgiven us for our sins. We have to act more like God each day, though we are not and never will be perfect. If we try our utmost best, that is all we can do.

Heaven is at the end of an uphill trail. The easy downhill trail does not lead to the summit.

The time is now, not tomorrow. The time has come, indeed. How will you ACT?

It is by our actions we are known.

Be of God - Live of God - Act of God

Twenty-Second Sunday after Trinity - Propers with explanation - Rev Jack's Sermon

The propers for the Twenty-Second Sunday after Trinity can be found on Page 220-222:

The Twenty-Second Sunday after Trinity

The Collect.

ORD we beseech thee to keep thy household the Church in continual godliness; that through thy protection it may be free from all adversities, and devoutly given to serve thee in good works, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle for today came from Saint Paul’s letter to the Philippians beginning at the Third Verse of the First Chapter. Writing to the church in Philippia, Paul sends his greetings letting them know he has been praying for them constantly. He tells them that the good work God has begun in them will surely continue until Christ returns to them. Paul tells them he prays that they will find more and more joy in following the will of God. Continually reminding people of the joy of being born a new person, Paul prays that their “love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”

thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

The Holy Gospel came from the Twenty-Eighth Chapter of the Gospel according to St. Matthew beginning at the Twenty-First Verse. On the subject of confession, repentance and forgiveness, knowing the rabbis had ordained forgiving one’s transgressors three times Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” Knowing Jesus as he did, Peter no doubt expected Jesus to say more times than three, but 490 may have been somewhat more than he expected. In one of the more important stories in the Bible concerning God’s forgiveness of us and our obligation to forgive others, Jesus went on to liken the kingdom of heaven to a king, who was balancing his accounts. He found a servant who owed him, in today’s terms, a million dollars. The man had no money, but promised to pay and begged for mercy rather than have himself and his family sold into slavery as the law allowed to repay the debt. The king forgave him the debt and set him free. Upon release, the man being reminded of his debts, began to attempt to collect from those who owed him. The first debtor he came across owed him $10.00 and had it not. The one who had been forgiven cast the $10.00 debtor into prison. The king found out and bye, bye.

The quote is - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Not – Do unto others before they do unto you.

eter said unto Jesus, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellow-servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Sermon - Rev Jack Arnold
Church of the Faithful Centurion - Descanso, California

Consider these words from the Collect:

… keep thy household the Church in continual godliness; that through thy protection it may be free from all adversities, and devoutly given to serve thee in good works, to the glory of thy Name …

Heaven is at the end of an uphill trail. The easy downhill trail does not lead to the summit.

The time is now, not tomorrow. The time has come, indeed. How will you ACT?

It is by our actions we are known.

Be of God - Live of God - Act of God

Sermon Notes - Forgiven and Unforgiving - Twenty-Second Sunday after Trinity - Saint Andrew’s Anglican Orthodox Church - 8 November 2020, Anno Domini

The Twenty-Second Sunday after Trinity

The Collect.

HEN came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? ²² Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. ²³ Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. ²⁴ And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. ²⁵ But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. ²⁶ The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. ²⁷ Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. ²⁸ But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. ²⁹ And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. ³⁰ And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. ³¹ So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. ³² Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: ³³ Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? ³⁴ And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. ³⁵ So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. (Matt 18:21-35)

Today’s sermon addresses a great misunderstanding on the part of the people of God concerning the subject of forgiveness. It seems that preacher always takes the one part of our Lord’s Word out of context and omits the latter. Every excuse for dismissing sin in and out of church is addressed by the text, 1 Judge not that ye be not judged. We almost never hear the sermon address the remainder of the quote: 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. (John 7:1-5) You can clearly see that our Lord lays out the terms for judging. A thief should not go about judging others for their thievery. But we are actually commanded of the Lord to judge: 24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. (John 7:24) This means to judge with God’s judgment, not man’s. Whatsoever God calls sin, we must also call a sin.

Peace of mind is one of the fruits of forgiveness. Even when we are sure in our minds that we have been irreparably wronged, there is a sore spot in our hearts that says, FORGIVE.

The wrong done you will not result in the loss of an arm, or of one’s life. Go to that person who has wronged you. He is hurting more than you are. Frankly forgive him in the same way Christ forgives you.

A tree grows and produces fruit because of the outward benefit the leaves provide through the process of photosynthesis to the inward tree, just as the inner tree gives growth to the leaves. If we take away the leaves, the inner tree will die. Forgiveness is the leaves of the tree of our hearts.

Peter seems to be the spokesman of choice for the disciples. He is fearless in being open and frank. One of the others most likely planted the question in Peter’s mind – most likely Judas – the least forgiving of all. So, Peter frames the question in a manner consistent with the law of Moses. He feels that seven times is a large number, but Christ gives him an answer that is intended to indicate that, like love, there should be no bottom to our forgiveness.

There are three stages of forgiveness that are consistent with the manner in which God forgives.

1) When a brother, not one of the world, offends me, I should forgive that person in the silent chambers of my heart, but not yet openly. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Eph 4:32) The bitterness of unforgiving spirit is then taken from our own hearts.

2) I do not inform him of my forgiveness for him since that would not be consistent with the manner in which God forgives. I must go to him, in love, and rebuke him for his offense. Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. (Luke 17:3)

3) Immediately upon the friend’s apology, you must inform him that he is forgiven. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. (Luke 17:4)

²² But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. ²³ Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; ²⁴ Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. (Matt 5:22-24)

There are reasons for righteous anger and indignation. It spurs us to action to remedy a wicked circumstance such as rape, murder, molesting little children, etc.

We now have the parable of the Kingdom involving a King. That King is God the Father.

ND when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. ²⁵ But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. ²⁶ The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. ²⁷ Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

In the days of this accounting, the amount of ten thousand talents was an enormous amount – more than $20,000,000.00. The King in this story represents God. The debtor – you and me. Without the remission of our debts (sins) we are sold off into slavery and bondage to Satan. In fact, we sell ourselves out to that merciless master.

We may deem it a simple thing for a great King to forgive even an enormous debt, and feel that we are justified in demanding the last cent owed us by a poor man; but though God is a great King, He has a great Heart and is willing to forgive. It was no simple thing for Him to forgive our sins and remit them. It cost Him the life-blood of His only Begotten Son!

A minister was discussing forgiveness with some schoolboys one day. One of the boys was incensed that his friend had struck him on the playground. The minister asked, ‘Jimmy, do you think, in view of the Scripture passage we just read on forgiveness, that you could find it in your heart to forgive another boy who hurt you, or struck you, on the playground?’ Jimmy responded, ‘Y-e-e-s-s, Sir, I suppose I could,’ and then added, ‘I could if he was bigger than me!’ Well God is bigger than all of us. But He desires that we love others as a measure of our love for Him.

The debtor in the parable pleads for patience. Apparently, the King has long exercised patience with this man, and there is no more time for it. God’s Spirit will not always strive with man. And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh (Gen 6:3) God cannot renew an unwilling spirit to reconcile that spirit to His own Spirit of Righteousness. Those whose hearts are not full of love and forgiveness do not belong to God.

UT the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. ²⁹ And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. ³⁰ And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. ³¹ So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. ³² Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: ³³ Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? ³⁴ And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

See how this unworthy servant has received such a mighty forgiveness, and at enormous cost (as you and me through the blood of Christ) – yet cannot forgive even a small debt (100 pence or three months average wage at the time) of a fellow servant of less means. He will sell him into bondage! This is not God-like. This is not Christ-like! This is very much like the devil that deceived Eve.

You may have had a dear friend spite you in a small matter, but the resentment has built-in your heart – it has grown beyond the proportions of a normal Mustard Tree and taken over your whole heart. You are weary day by day and avoid even looking into your dear friend's eyes. He is hurt by your behavior, but who suffers more: the offender, or the victim. Seeds of wrath in the heart bare trees of hatred and misery.

We have all fallen so very short of the righteousness of God that it is completely beyond our sight, but Christ gives us the means to assume that righteousness of His own. He forgives our sins, washes us clean, and is ever ready to renew our hearts when we repent of every offense. He suffered intensely for you and me. Can we not overlook the smallest infraction by a friend?

The criminal has no rest of conscience is constantly contemplating his being discovered. Many would find greater joy in confessing their faults and paying debt than in whiling away in constant fear. The sinner suffers no such dilemma. The King stands at the ready to forgive promptly and completely every sin confessed, and those unthought-of sins unconfessed. We need only remove the shroud of false pride and bitterness, empty our hearts of hate, and come to Him seeking forgiveness in repentance. There is no cost to the sinner for such a benefit for the cost has already been paid by the King’s Son. If you have resentment and hate in your heart growing from unforgiven offenses, open your heart to the Dipper of Love in God’s Hand and forgive all. Then you may have rest to your souls. Amen.

Anglican Orthodox Church Worldwide Communion

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