Every day, Christians pray to God, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Today’s Scriptures speak to us about that forgiveness, and about the grateful and loving hearts we are called to have as those who have experienced God’s mercy. These Scriptures also have something to teach us about how we, as sons and daughters of a loving God, therefore ought to forgive those who have sinned against us.
In the first reading, King David repented from his very grievous sins and was then offered forgiveness from God (see 2 Samuel 12:7-10, 13). In today’s Gospel, Jesus showed tremendous mercy toward the “sinful woman” who had been criticized by the Pharisee because she was “a woman of ill repute” (see Luke 7:36—8:3). Without regard to the “rule of law,” God was very merciful to King David and to the sinful woman, and they both responded with loving hearts, and with renewed lives dedicated to God’s will. Might we then also be forgiving as our heavenly Father is forgiving?
In my own life, and probably like most people, I’ve known pain and disappointment when others have committed sins and/or injustices against me. After such experiences, it may be a common temptation to hold on to anger, resentment, and bitterness against those who have caused such harm. It might even seem easier, or downright satisfying, to be unforgiving! Indeed, it seems to me that we live in a time when “forgiveness” can be very selective, even on the part of people who call themselves Christians.
The “wisdom of the world” (maybe that “rule of law”) dictates that some sins and misdeeds can be easily forgiven, while others are eternally unforgivable. In some cases, the guilty must carry their punishments forever, and the victims are likewise justified to hold them to such, and with contempt, in perpetuity. Although I am a Christian, I wouldn’t suggest that those who have committed sins and/or injustices not be held “accountable,” nor do I believe that “justice” should not indeed prevail, but our faith does clearly challenge us to “forgive those who trespass against us.” So how do we forgive others, and how do we let go of those negative feelings and emotions that tempt us to be unforgiving?
Isn’t it true that “forgiveness” is more about those who forgive than those who are “forgiven?” Isn’t it true that when we forgive others, what we really do is let go of any type of negative control they may have over our emotions and over our lives? Isn’t it true that when we forgive others, we no longer allow them to have power over us in any kind of way?
So may we generously forgive others, especially those who have seriously wronged us. After all, God surely will be their judge, and from an eternal perspective, divine justice will truly prevail! And I heartily believe it’s also possible those we have forgiven may in fact completely turn away from their sins, and they may truly express sorrow and remorse to us. In the best of cases, we may be completely reconciled and find peace with those we have forgiven!
And so my sisters and brothers, just as we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, let us forgive others as our heavenly Father has forgiven us! If we can do so, then I believe we will be able to experience emotional freedom, and hearts full of gratitude and love. Let us encourage each other with this Christian message of forgiveness!
Praise God! Friar Timothy
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