Scripture

“Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’” Luke 23:34

Reflections

Most translations that include Luke 23:34 will have the verse bracketed with a footnote.  The footnote usually says something like “other ancient authorities lack the sentence.”  What is meant by that?  It has to do with the original manuscripts from which the Bible is translated.  Not all of the manuscripts are exactly the same.  There are “textual variants”.  Some manuscripts include that sentence.  Others do not.  It is possible a scribe added that sentence to the original text.

Having said that, the essence of the verse is fully consistent with the life and ministry of Jesus.  It is the kind of thing that one would expect Jesus saying.  The crowds were crying out to Pilate “Crucify him!” but Jesus cried out, “Father, forgive.”  He was hanging from the cruel nails, but he did not lose his gentleness.  This is the very heart of Jesus.  He loves sinners.  He died for those who put him on the cross.

As we read from St. Augustine, “He prayed as man, and as God with the Father, he heard the prayer.  Even now he prays in us, for us and is prayed to by us.  He prays in us as our high priest.  He prays for us as our head.  He is prayed to by us as our God.  When he was praying as he hung on the cross, he could see and foresee.  He could see all his enemies.  He could foresee that many of them would become his friends.  That is why he was interceding for them all.”

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for forgiving those who have sinned against you, even those who put you on the cross.  Help me to live and love that same way toward others.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Full Reading: Luke 23:33-43