Forgiveness

A Tale of Two Brothers

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Younger brother was lazy and spoiled could be

While the older worked hard to just earn his keep

They walked different roads ending up far apart

And neither could know that they broke father’s heart

The youngest just partied and lived the wild life

Sleeping in every morning – staying up every night

While his brother just labored from dawn to the dusk

Barely pausing to rest because he felt he must

So when father forgave when the younger just asked

While the older was still finishing up his day’s tasks

He got angry and shouted “Dad what about me.”

Think how brother was shaming our whole family

But father grew quiet and with tears in his eyes

Put his hand on his shoulder then he made this reply

Son, if you forgive and leave that up to the Lord

You’ll see life’s greatest joy in a family restored

A Tale of Two Brothers by Peter Caligiuri © 2020 All rights reserved

Reconciled

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But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. Genesis 33:4

You might have heard the question about what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. Let me say that for those of us who have raised boys – we know that answer!. We who have pleaded or even demanded our sons to: “Just be nice to each other!” or asked; “Can’t you two get along for five minutes?”

A Rare and peaceful monet

this scene of reconciliation between Jacob and his brother Esau is a greater miracle than even walking on water. These guys had lied, cheated, and tricked one another and in Esau’s case even plotted the murder of his brother. Our son’s battles evidenced by assorted holes in walls, a broken door and angry accusations flying across our home seem mild by comparison. But we have also been blessed to live long enough to see these same guys giving each other cars; sharing their homes when divorce came knocking on the door and most importantly learning to listen to one another.

In light of the current chaos in America today we can draw hope from the reconciliation of these radically different brothers. It took a crisis to force them to finally focus; not on what separated them but on remembering that they were family. As family God is calling for us to meet together for embracing not injuring; weeping not shouting and forgiving as God has freely forgiven anyone who kneels where the ground is level at the foot of the cross.

Why is Racism Sin?

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Most thinking people know that racism is wrong but strange to say; not many seem to know why. Even defining racism can get pretty tricky. For example: is racism something only white people can do? Do Asians practice racism? If the inclusion of only certain ethnic groups in an activity is inherently racist then would that include The Sons of Portugal back in my hometown of Danbury Connecticut? Since it is unlikely we can overcome a problem without knowing what it is; why not start with the God who never changes and His word that points both directly to our sin and clearly to His solution?

Photo by Jonathan Borba on Pexels.com

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. Matthew 5:22

“There is only one race…the human race.” Rosa Parks

Racism actually breaks both the sixth and ninth commandments. “Thou shalt not murder.” (included by Jesus with anyone who is angry with his brother.) And – “Thou shall not bear false witness” because anyone speaking and acting hatefully is also believing and propagating a lie. God is no respecter of persons i. e. – He is more concerned about heart color than skin color!

God is not passive. He doesn’t lightly look at the death of George Floyd or any other innocent person. In fact God was so angry about sin that He sent Jesus Christ to the cross to suffer and pay the price with His own blood for our forgiveness. Without the cross there is no hope for any of us..

I draw hope from the story of Jesus and the woman caught in the act of adultery. It begins with a crowd of angry men dragging a woman into the public square and asking Jesus if He was okay with her being stoned according to the law. Jesus strange response has a lot to do with our situation today. He didn’t say a single word. Instead He stopped down and began to write with His finger in the dirt while the mob continued shouting. Then Jesus stood up and said, “Let him who is without sin, cast the first stone.” There was suddenly a silence among the men as His words found their mark. What would Jesus be saying today as He looks over America? What would He say about me and you? Maybe He is silently waiting for us to see our need and remember the love of His cross. Maybe He is praying and weeping until we come to Him with our sin and find that at Calvary enemies become brothers and sinners of every color are made true friends.