Asking forgiveness

by Father Andreas Houpos

As a priest, one of the things I look forward to most in my liturgical office is the act of asking forgiveness at the Divine Liturgy. And by the wisdom of God’s Church, this is a rubrical formality—in other words, the priest is ordered by the script of the service itself to ask forgiveness of his fellow celebrants and of the congregation at large. The Body and Blood of Christ cannot be approached without it.⁣

No matter what has preceded, the priest knows that he will face this moment. It haunts him all week. It is as if he faces the second coming of Christ. “Christ is in our midst,” he and his concelebrants say to one another while exchanging the kiss of peace. Here he is. What excuse can we give, what truth can we dodge in that moment?⁣

All petty grievances, but even substantial differences, in that moment melt away. They must. For in the face of the fire of God they are nothing. The priest turns to his congregation, seeking their forgiveness as well—there they are in all their sinful and saintly glory. There are critics, there are confidants. There is his spouse and family, there are complete strangers. There is the leftist and there is the right-winger. There is the family with which he has laughed, and there is the family with which he has grieved. And to each of them he offers a collective bow and words uttered with a sigh: “My brothers and sisters, forgive me.”⁣

Forgive me that I don’t know you better. Forgive me that my sermon fell short. Forgive me that I haven’t yet replied to your e-mail. Forgive me that we had a testy exchange. Forgive me that I misunderstood your message. Forgive me for this vain post. Forgive me for not living up to my high calling. Forgive me.⁣

All of us in the Church are called to do this, but it is the priest in particular, in that setting and moment, who at once feels the immense burden of his sins and the needs of his people, and the immense relief and assurance of Christ, when he must humble himself and utter the words, with fear of God, with faith, and with love: “Forgive me”.⁣

Glory to God, who provides for our salvation. Glory to God, who gives us new beginnings.

Originally on Facebook.