Maundy Thursday (April 17). FATHER, FORGIVE THEM

Prepare to Listen.  Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.
 
Prayerfully Read Luke 23:32-38
32Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him.  33When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.  [[34Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’]]  And they cast lots to divide his clothing.  35And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!’  36The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’  38There was also an inscription over him, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’
 
Prayerfully Wonder and Reflect
What surprised or shocked in this passage?
 
The story is unembellished: “they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.”  The camera then shifts to the scene at the foot of the cross: soldiers casting lots, leaders and the crowd mocking, rejecting their King.  The only time Jesus features is at the beginning when he prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”  His first words from the cross.
 
Since these words aren’t in some of the early manuscripts of Luke, and since they don’t directly relate to anything in this scene, some scholars suggest ignoring it.  But we can’t.  We know it’s so Jesus.  The odd placement and lack of clarity about whom Jesus forgives, is intentional.  It forces us to pay attention.  “Father forgive them.”  Them could be the soldiers, the Jewish rulers who demanded his crucifixion, Pilate who gave in to them, the disciples who weren’t there standing with him, all of the above.  It could also be you and me.  Let’s face it, we’ve been guilty of failing Jesus, often.  We too nailed him to the cross. 
 
In excruciating pain, Jesus rejected retaliation and revenge.  He refused to engage in the popular “eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth” mentality.  He showed us a different, albeit hard way—forgiveness.  Sadly, too many prefer revenge or harmful words about those who hurt or disagree with us.  M. L. King noted, “History is cluttered with the wreckage of nations and individuals that pursued this self-defeating path” of vengeance rather than forgiveness.[1]  Near death, Jesus compassionately prayed that God forgive his enemies.  And we’re called to be like Jesus.
 
What steps can you take to pursue more faithfully the way of forgiveness?
 
Prayerfully Respond
Lord, forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.  Amen.
 
Live obediently.  Seek the way of forgiveness, not revenge.
[1] In https://cac.org/daily-meditations/love-beyond/ 11/4/24.