Embedded in the teaching of Christ is an inclusive commandment, namely the Reciprocity Commandment. When the disciples inquired as to how they should pray, Jesus responded with the comprehensive prayer we now express in each divine service as a prelude to receiving His grace by the absolution and His strength and virtue thorough the Holy Communion. We have prayed this prayer thousands of times. But has the essence of that prayer found its way into our soul and being to the extent that it powerfully influences our thought and conduct?
There is a very important phrase within the Lord’s Prayer that implies a most important expectation that our God has for each of us, the concept of spiritual reciprocity. It is the phrase: “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”. Jesus used these terms because they imply the worst in our interpersonal relationships, sin against our brother and sister. To better understand the comprehensive nature of this, allow me to suggest a few expansions on this Commandment of Reciprocity.
First allow me to reverse the phrase and personalize the words, as it may be easier to fathom:
as we forgive our debtors, forgive us our debts
as I empathize with my brethren, empathize with me
as I comfort my brethren, comfort me
as I do good for my brethren, do good for me
as I encourage my brethren, encourage me
as I care for my brethren, care for me
as I am gracious toward my brethren, be gracious unto me
as I seek to guide my brethren by my conduct, let me see Your conduct and be so guided
as I seek to be a blessing to my brethren, bless me
as I am an advocate for my brethren, be an advocate for me
as I seek the good in my brethren, search me for the good in me
as I rise above disappointments in my brethren, rise above when I disappoint You
as I seek to bring peace to my brethren, bring peace to my soul
I am sure that there are more . . .
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TURNING POINTS
The reversing of the words offers an opportunity to change one’s perspective and facilitate a paradigm shift to more effectively assimilate the essence of the words and what they mean for our personal gropwth. This can be a meaningful turning point and is multiplied when expanded to other familiar word phrases.
enjoyed this blog! Thanks Allan