Jack’s Winning Words 6/26/18
“It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.”  (Francis of Assisi)  The word, pardon, is in the news a lot these days, but are you aware of its origin?  It was first used to explain the gift of forgiveness that the Pope gave to sinners.  It was a serious and holy action offered to the wrongdoer who asked for “pardon.”  The forgiveness was really God’s, and the Pope acted as his agent.  I feel badly when such a “holy act” loses its holiness in today’s secular world.    ;-)  Jack

FROM DEACON R:  I also feel bad because it makes people confused about God’s grace given through Forgiveness and the embodiment of Jesus sent to redeem us from our sins.  I’m prayerful that Paul understands this point so he may understand that it is not about how I might feel (regarding Kwami Kilpatrick). It’s all about God’s forgiveness, not to be twisted with a presidential pardon.
The fairness we consider from person to person is making such a mess that Jesus clarified in saying the First shall be Last.====JACK:  Ultimately, pardon involved "just a little talk with Jesus by and by."  Kwame ans God...Robert and God...Jack and God...Donald and God.

FROM WALMART REV:    "...could it be more political nowadays?" 0;-/ ===JACK:  In your ministry has anyone come up to you, confessed and asked for forgiveness?===REV:  Somewhat the nature of those walking through the 4th and 5th Steps of AA's 12 Steps program . . . others come asking if God would forgive them, and I readily assure them He will if we ask Him to! 0;-) ===JACK:  If you ever wanted to convert, you'd make a good Lutheran.

FROM FACEBOOK LIZ:  you feel “bad,” not badly... unless your sense of feeling is impaired. but i forgive you!===JACK:  Sometimes I have a tingling in my fingers which causes me to feel badly.

FROM GOPHER LYNN:  I visited the town of Assisi in Italy a couple of years ago. Our tour director for the trip was also from Assisi.  We visited the Basilica as well. It was so informational to me as I had never heard of St Francis. ===JACK:  His is an interesting story about how he grew up in a wealthy family and made the transition into becoming a "poor" monk,  Religion will often change people...in fact, that's what it's meant to do.===LYNN:  Yes – I learned a lot that day ===JACK:  As Michelangelo said, at age 87, Ancora Imparo!===LYNN:  Yes – I still learn   Of course I had to look this up ===JACK:  Being curious enough to look things up is part of learning.  Ancora Imparo is a good phrase to remember.

FROM MF IN WB:  Maybe you shouldn't feel so badly, certainly, the many people reading ww's today will recall the holiness connection you taught us. I will remember today's lesson every time I hear the word pardon, and am sure I'll share it with others,   Thanks Jack===JACK:  The "bad feeling" is a feeling of los, when a Godly word becomes identified with political favor.  Ib church, before the eucharist, the peace greeting is meant to be a time of asking for pardon and being pardoned.  In most instances it's become a time of greeting friends (and sometimes strangers).  ===FM:  see your point

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" as we say in the Lord's prayer. We are to pardon as God pardons us. As CS Lewis has said, "We all think forgiveness is a good idea, until WE have something to forgive." It's not always easy to practice compassion, but most will be miserable in the long run, if they don't! Threats of "Presidential Pardons" under the present regime certainly cheapens the whole action!====JACK:  I've always liked the C.S.Lewis quote.  What if we prayed the Lord's Prayer as it really say...God, forgive us in the same way that we forgive other people."  Ouch!

FROM HAWKEYE GEORGE:  It is interesting how words are derived. You were very late this morning. Do you have a health issue?===JACK:  I see pardon, first of all, as a theological word relating to God's offer of forgiveness.  My sense is that the hoi poloi could not care less.  Their interest is in today's application.  As to the lateness of today's WWs; it was an internet issue.

FROM HAPPY TRAILS IN NOVA SCOTIA:  Sunday, we went to the church that is sponsoring our group's efforts to bring a second refugee family to our community. Our new chair was giving a presentation, and the Anglican priest, Elizabeth (raised Lutheran in Germany) designed the service around the quote from Leviticus about how we must treat immigrants.  Listening to the Lord's Prayer, I remember as a boy I thought it was presumptuous to say "forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." I took the second phrase to declare that we DO forgive others, which I had noticed was not always the case. Later, maybe in discussions in Catachism, I came to a different conclusion, that we were asking that we be orgiven to the extent that we do forgive others. This felt like a more reasonable request, but not without its issues in understanding the grace of god which passes all understanding, that Jesus died to save us from our sins, etc. What IS the proper understanding of this phrase, and given that understanding, how should it be punctuated in today's understanding of punctuation and grammar?===JACK:  Without going to Biblical commentaries, my  interpretation of the petition is like your second one..."Forgive us in the same way that we forgive others."  Yet, I don't think that's what we really want.  You can Google Luther's Small Catechism and see how he explains each petition of the Lord's Prayer under the headings, "What does this mean?  I've always taught it this way to confirmation students.  Also...the Commandments, the Creed and the Sacraments.  "What does this mean?"  Luther was a pretty smart guy.

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