12“And
forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
With what hope does someone pray who harbors enmity against another
person by whom perhaps he was harmed? For just as he is lying when he prays
(for he says, “I forgive” and does not forgive), so he seeks forgiveness from
God and yet it is not granted to him. Thus, if he who has been injured prays to
God without hope unless he forgives him who has wronged him, how do you think
that a person prays who has not been hurt by another but hurts and burdens
others by his wickedness? But many people who do not wish to grant forgiveness
to those who sin against themselves flee to pray this prayer. What fools!
First, because he does not pray as Christ taught, nor is he Christ’s disciple.
Second, because the Father does not gladly hear a prayer that the Son has not composed.
For the Father acknowledges the intentions and words of his own Son but does
not accept whatever human arrogance has thought up but only those things that
the wisdom of Christ has taught. Therefore you can indeed say a prayer, but you
cannot circumvent and deceive God, nor do you receive forgiveness unless you
yourself have first forgiven. (Incomplete Commentary on Matthew (Opus Imperfectum), 2 vols. [trans. James A. Kellerman;
Ancient Christian Texts 1; Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP Academic, 2010), 1:125)
