forgiving betrayal

Today in A Year with the Church Fathers, we hear from St Dionysius of Alexandria. He tells us that early Christians had a big argument about whether they would let people back into the church who denied their faith under persecution. The result was that they DID let them back in. But you can see the dilemma. How would you feel if someone betrayed you? Would you forgive them?

That's not an easy question to answer. But it does put it in perspective when we realize how many times we've betrayed Jesus ourselves. Every time someone says bad things about our friend, and we stay silent. Every time a hungry person needs help and we ignore them. Every time we have an opportunity to share the love He's given us, and we chicken out. Yet He welcomes us back every time, doesn't He? I know in my life, He's forgiven me alot more than seventy times seven times.

Maybe we can, in light of that, find it in our hearts to forgive those who betray us?

God, thanks for forgiving us. Please help us to learn from that forgiveness.