Forgiving

Luk 19:1-9  And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.  (2)  And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.  (3)  And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.  (4)  And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.  (5)  And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.  (6)  And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.  (7)  And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.  (8)  And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.  (9)  And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

Zacchaeus was a sinner.  All the people who were looking on and murmuring, “That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner” were also sinners, but were separating themselves from him, as though they were not sinners, and then judging him.  Stupid. 

I do the same thing.

But, the Lord came to save sinners…and somehow, in particular, people who recognize themselves to be sinners. 

He came to live, die and be resurrected for sinners!

He loves us, the Church, in spite of our sin, and gave Himself completely for us, though He had no sin.

We, as sinful men, are called to love our wives as Christ, who knew no sin loves His church.  This realization calls us to generosity.  We should not stand in condemnation of our wives at any time.  We should instead, recognizing ourselves for what we are, be quite generous and forgiving.