Naked. Starving. Beaten. Whipped. Mocked. And now nailed to a tree. Jesus looked out on humanity. The adoring crowds were gone. The devoted disciples hid. Only his mother and her friends looked at as pain rippled through his body, the result of the intended torture.

From this state of shame and agony, Jesus managed to sum up human misery in one grand request: Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.

Of all the pain I’ve experienced, 99% of it can be explained and seen as “Lord, my God, they don’t know what they’re doing (to me.)” And I’m sure I have no clue the anguish I’ve put on others, how my indifference, dismissal, or angry words cut their soul.

Lord, I forgive everyone who has without thought or through selfish motivation, hurt me. I let go of the pain they caused. And believe in your hand to heal the wounds left of careless words and empty promises.

In turn, Jesus, heal those I’ve hurt. Rub your life-giving peace into their scars. Lift the shame and anger I transferred to them. Burn all my ignorance and pride to ashes.

Amen