Scripture: Mark 1:4
And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, sick preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Thought for the Day: Being sorry is built into our nature. Most of us feel pretty remorseful when we mess up, drugstore especially when we hurt someone close to us. We talk a lot about repentance like it’s some difficult and lofty goal; but really, it’s part of our being. When’s the last time you made a mistake and didn’t feel sorry or apologize? My guess is it’s been a very long time since you didn’t own up to a mistake.

So why is it so hard then, for us to forgive each other? Why is the mechanism that’s built into every one of us, that usually goes into automatic action when we transgress against a family member or friend, seemingly switched “off”—especially when we become Presidents, Congress people, or captains of industry? Why is remorse so hard to find on Wall Street, after they’ve bankrupted the country? Where’s the repentance in a health care industry that marks up goods and services by thousands of percentage points and tries to deny service to those most in need (you must read this Time magazine article)?

Yet, even for all their abuses, I know I must forgive. I must forgive the people in positions of power who are squeezing me out of existence. I must forgive them for their greed, their abuse of power, and their abuse of the American legal system. I must forgive them for the millions of people they have put out of homes and jobs.

But all that forgiving would be a lot easier to do if just one of them would say, “I’m sorry.”

Prayer: I’m sorry for anyone I’ve ever hurt, may they forgive me. I forgive all those who hurt others, and pray, O Mighty God, that their hearts will be turned from stone, so that they too might find the power hidden in the words, “I’m sorry.” Amen.