Pechstein seems to be using here the motif of the prodigal son to illustrate the second half of the fifth petition: "As we forgive those who trespass against us." However, the woodcut suggests a reversal of roles. It is as if the son were speaking words of forgiveness, and not his father. Indeed, the very notion of forgiveness upsets our value systems based on common sense and justice. Forgiveness defies reason but exalts love: such is the novelty of the Christian message. The fruit of forgiveness is a new bonding between people symbolized by the two hands that reach out and touch. There is also the hand of the person who forgives resting on the neck of the one begging for pardon. Could this gesture be in reference to Jesus' saying "My yoke is light," reminding us that the act of forgiveness has its source and model in Jesus Christ?
Forgiveness is part of the new commandment mentioned in the gospel of John: " ...that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another" (John 13:34). This is the condition of the reconciliation of humanity with God and of people with one another. Not least, forgiveness bears witness that love is stronger than evil and sin.
This page, maintained by The Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute, Dayton, Ohio 45469-1390, and created by Jim Danis was last modified Wednesday, 04/18/2001 16:57:40 EDT by Jim Danis. Please send any comments to Johann.Roten@udayton.edu.
URL for this page is http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/gallery/works/asweforgivethosewhotrespass.htm