Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be
condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure,
pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give
will be the measure you get back. (Luke 6:37-38 NRSV)
Father Harold Cost recalled hearing the first confession of a second grader who had little to
confess.
Father Cost said to the second grader during confession, "Do you have any more?"
"Sure," the youngster replied, "but I'm saving some for the next time."
We should not save any of our confession or save any of our forgiveness for another time. When
we forgive, we live in peace with God, with ourselves, and with one another. The cross of Jesus
Christ remind us that we are forgiven to forgive.
Prayer: God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, may I call that person today who needs
my forgiveness. Amen.
Written by: Ronald Newhouse, Texas, USA
Tuesday, April 21, 1998