In a story line from the television program, The West Wing, Chief of staff Leo McGarry is a recovering and closeted alcohol and drug addict. A junior staff member discovered his secret and leaked the story. Senior staffers loyal to Leo learned of this and fired her on the spot. As she was leaving the West Wing, with her box of possessions in hand, Leo asked to see her in his office. He talked to her honestly about his addictions and disclosed her that he hadn’t had a drink or taken a pill in six and a half years. Leo then said, “When you saw my personnel file, when you saw I'd been through treatment, what when through your mind?” She replied, “My father used to...You have all these important decisions to make in your job, every day, all the time, decisions I can't even...people's lives.” Leo responded, “Karen, what you did caused a lot of problems…but I’m not sure it wasn’t a little brave. Did you like working at the White House?” “Yes sir,”, she said. “Okay, why don’t you go unpack your carton, and you and I will give each other a second chance?”
Forgiveness changes stories and writes new ones. Or as poet David Whyte would say it, when we forgive, we “allow ourselves to be gifted by a story larger than the story that first hurt us.” Faith communities are called to be doing this creating of larger, more sacred stories.
Jesus invited us to approach a clear strategy when working for forgiveness. First, if someone offends us, we are to visit with them and discuss the matter. Second, if that doesn’t resolve things, we are to bring along two or three trusted others. And then, if that does not bring about healing, we may take the matter to the larger community. And finally, if that does not work, we are to regard this erring one as a tax collector or gentile, and Jesus always treated these with love. When we read these words in context, it is clear Jesus is not giving us a way to kick people out. This is instead a way to encourage the community to tell the truth, and to find new ways of loving, including loving those who can make it tricky to love them.
We’ll chat about this in worship at St. Mark’s this Sunday. The sermon is titled “Forgiveness: A Story Larger than the Story that First Hurt Us.” The sermon arises from Psalm 32, which will be read by Pam Vanzant and Matthew 18:10-20, to be read by Leigh Richey. The Chancel Choir, accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs and directed by Gerry Sousa, will sing “Song of Assurance”, composed by Mark Patterson. Ken Beckley and Charlie Matson bring a mission moment concerning an initiative regarding memorial trees and plaques on sanctuary chairs. We’ll have a moment for children, sing hymns and share prayers together.
If you have been part of the St. Mark’s community for a long time, a short time, or will be joining us for the first time, we look forward to connecting with those of you here in-person or joining on the livestream.