The Joy of Forgiveness
Feb 20th, 2007 by michelle
I had the opportunity to participate in my first Forgiveness Vespers this Sunday evening. I have to admit that I am was frightened of what it was going to be like and what I was required to do. Our priest didn’t actually explain it ahead of time, my friend and I were quite confused about the actual wording of it all. I tried to listen closely as others began and discovered that the wording wasn’t really the important part. It doesn’t matter exactly how you ask for forgiveness from someone; what matters is your sincerity and openness to forgiving them and being forgiven yourself.
As for most of the people at our church, there isn’t much that I need to forgive them for. But there was an incident several months back where my family was hurt very deeply by our church. As a result of Sunday night’s service, I feel completely healed of that pain. I have no more ill feelings toward anyone and now feel that I am able to move on. As I moved through the process of forgiving these people, I hadn’t thought that I would be able to “forgive and forget.” But, honestly, I have. I can’t even remember what I had felt like at the time of the event in our past.
I thank God for that today.
Before attending Forgiveness Vespers, I had the impression that the service would be incredibly somber and full of tears. There were definitley some tears shed and, yes, it was somber. But it was also incredibly joyful. It was a joy to be able to forgive and be forgiven, even for sins which you may not know of or ones that were unintentional. When each person asked for forgiveness, I could utter the words, “As God forgives us all” with a smile on my face because He really was moving through each of us during that time. I felt a great sense of peace after the service and also incredible joy.
Here is a homily delivered by Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh on March 16, 1986, on Forgiveness Sunday.
I agree, it is joyous and sad at the same time - and I always cry.
Forgive me, my sister for those offenses I have comitted against you.