Throughout history - the number seven has been considered very special - special to the point that it is consider lucky. Seven appears in various religions - myths - historical stories. Research points to the story of creation - God created the world - the heavens - the entire universe - in six days - rests on the seventh - final day. Therefore seven understood to mean the perfect completion of His creation - making the number seven - the perfect number. Being perfect - belief that anything perfect - also lucky. In Holy Scripture we read (Matt 18:21-22) Peter asking Jesus "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times."
In this special time of Lent as we seek to correct our faults - failings - one needs to look at what is known as the sins of omission - things that we should have done - failed to do. In this regard - one of the hardest things is forgiving those who have sinned against you - done harm to you - physically - mentally - spiritually. Forgiving others - very difficult - especially when the other person fails to understand why - how they hurt you in the first place. Quite often their actions - not intentional - done accidentally with out malice - other times - intentional - meaning to cause you harm - hurt feelings. Those intentional actions understandable - hardest to forgive. As seen above Jesus's answer - remember the magical number of seven - and as often as necessary. Eventually - with prayer - compassion - strength from His Holy Spirit - possible. You may not be able to forgive the first time you try - over time - Jesus at your side - forgiveness will happen. Remember the Lord's Prayer - Forgive me my sins - as I forgive those who have sinned against me - take time - pray - let those words sink in this Lent.
Deacon Dale
