Michael Vick is scheduled to play in a preseason game tonight with his new team, the Philadelphia Eagles. I'm not a fan of pro sports in general but I have to admit I'll probably be watching tonight. Not to see Vick so much as to see the reaction of the Philadelphia fans.
Eagles fans are legendary for being among the...shall we say...boisterous?
They booed Santa in the 1960s for Pete's Sake.
Vick of course was with the Atlanta Falcons when he was arrested and convicted of a huge dog fighting operation and admitted abusing and killing dogs that didn't win.
He has since been released and is working with the Humane Society of the United States to help educate young people that what he did was wrong and animals are meant to be cared for.
From what I've seen on television since his signing with the Eagles, some people are having a very hard time getting past what he did.
Some even feel he should still be in prison.
It makes me sad to think of the animals he treated so badly. I can't bear to look at the photos of tortured dogs (or any other animal for that matter).
But for Christians, forgiveness is a foundational tenet of the faith. Without it we have no hope.
We regularly pray to God to "forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us". Christ's message was one of love and forgiveness.
How can we then, NOT forgive Michael Vick?
Is there any among us who hasn't made a mistake and exercised poor judgment? Haven't we all had a set of beliefs we later came to realize was wrong?
I have to believe Michael Vick is sincere in his repentance and will work hard to become a good role model for young people.
And yes, I believe that simply because he said so. Isn't that what we ask of others? Isn't it what we ask of the Lord?
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