Sorry!

"Sorry Graphic" CC BY-NC by Crystal Coleman 

I had a conversation last week about saying sorry: it was in the context of a prayerful framework comparing the differences between saying sorry and forgiveness. While we all agreed that the act of saying we are sorry is important, we also recognised that words alone aren’t enough.

One parent shared that their children do have to apologise when they have done wrong; but not just with words. After an “I‘m Sorry” has been accepted by the wronged person, the follow up question addresses reconciliation – “How Can I Make it Right?”

This expectation is a way to teach accountability and responsibility – the consequences of action on other people. It reminded me of the meme “Apologies will no longer be accepted in words, only by changed behaviour”

How true for all of us, when we come to God with our confession: in meditative silence in our daily prayers, and during the service of corporate worship, we come to God to say sorry; assured of God’s forgiveness even before the priest confers absolution.

I wonder what might happen if our daily practice of confession were to include a desire for restitution? Because if we do not change our sinful behaviour, we are destined to repeat it; and thus deny ourselves the beautiful benefit of the promise of God. The gift of divine forgiveness is not to be taken lightly; as one colleague said “We don’t want to cheapen the grace of forgiveness.”

Perhaps in our spiritual journey this week we can consider not just the gift of forgiveness, but be intentional about seeking out restorative acts to embrace the grace as it is so freely offered.