One of the theme’s during Lent is that we are called to forgive others. I saw an ex brother-in-law at my nephew’s wedding a few weeks ago and it was a very cordial gathering. It is weird how a moment in time many years ago a person can think that “he did quite a few awful things to my sister which in my opinion are unforgivable”. While married to him and for a long time afterwards he treated my sister horribly. Extremely awful things happened while they didn’t have a set custody arrangement. There were certainly things that at the time I didn’t think that I would ever forgive my ex BIL for doing to my sister.
Over the past 15-20 years both my brother-in-law and I have changed. Thankfully he has changed for the better over the last 5 or so years. At my nephew’s wedding my BIL gave an outstanding, heartfelt speech to his son where he acknowledged that he had made mistakes with how he treated my sister. His speech was so passionate that I doubt there was a dry eye at the reception. I think that I had forgiven him before the wedding but his speech gave me the nudge to talk to my BIL and tell him that we all make mistakes, that I have made mistakes and that I will always consider him my brother-in-law regardless of he and my sister not being together anymore.
Jesus paid the ultimate price and sacrificed his own life to save us, forgive us for our sins. We are called to forgive, forgive even sins which we think are unforgivable.
