On forgiveness of our enemies

In this sermon, Father Nicholas Karipoff talks about how hard it is, but very necessary, to forgive and love our enemies and to follow Christ’s example as He was being nailed to the Cross when He said “Father, forgive them for they know now what they do”. If we cannot do this, how can we call ourselves Christian?

This call to repentance is how Christ began His ministry, echoing the words of the Forerunner St John the Baptist “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand”, and He ended it on earth with words about forgiveness. Why else would our Lord say in the model prayer “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” if this wasn’t so important to God?

​God, in His bountiful mercy, sends blessings to those who can pray for their enemies with their whole heart, and only He can transform our hearts so that we are more like Him.

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​“There is nothing more pleasing to God than prayer for our enemies and forgiveness...praying for the person who hurt you with all your heart, and then you’ll see how God reacts”.