Infinite forgiveness

Good morning, happy Thursday, and many blessings.

In yesterday’s Gospel we have heard the words of Jesus concerning fraternal correction (Matthew ‪18:15-20‬). In the Gospel today (Matthew 18:21-19:1) the central theme is pardon and reconciliation.


Forgive seventy times seven! Before the words of Jesus on fraternal correction and reconciliation, Peter asks, “How often must I forgive? Seven times?” Seven is a number which indicates perfection and, in the case of Peter’s proposal, seven is synonymous with always. But Jesus goes beyond. He eliminates whatever possible limitation there may be to pardon: “Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times”. It is as if He would say “Always, Peter! Even seventy-seven times! Always!” This is because there is no proportion between God’s love for us and our love for our brother or sister.

Jesus points out that forgiveness knows no limit. The inability to forgive those who have offended us can be corrosive and the harboring of hurts destructive. Are there people you can’t forgive? If so, devote time to pray for the ability to do so, and linger over the phrase in the ‘Our Father’: ‘forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors’. (Matthew 6:12).

We do not expect God to forgive us once or twice or any limited number of times but every time. It isn’t written that we have, for example, only 10 chances of going to confession and once our quota is used up, there is nothing left. If that is true of our relationship with God, it also has to be true in our relationships with others. We should always strive to never refuse an offer of reconciliation.

Forgiveness brings us healing. It makes us whole. Until we forgive, we do not feel whole. Our moods always change when we encounter the person that has offended us. As Christians, the right thing to do is to ask for forgiveness even if we are the ones that have been offended. That is the Christian difference that we must take seriously. Forgiveness from the heart does not mean that you forget that the event ever took place. It means not holding the offence against the person that offends you. This also means not keeping records of offences you have forgiven. Like Jesus, forgive without counting the offences.

Today, ask yourself: whom do I need to forgive?  It may be another person, or it may be that we need to forgive ourselves for actions or choices that we are not proud of.  Spend a few minutes reflecting on this question.  Naturally, it is most helpful to ask for forgiveness, however, there are situations when we do have the opportunity or the courage to do this in person.  If that is the case, speak your words of forgiveness aloud.  Then after a moment or two, repeat the words.  When we speak words aloud, the vibrations of our words radiate throughout the ether; thus, the individual you want to forgive will sense your vibrations and your forgiveness.  It likely will not be a conscious sense, but their inner being will intuit your intention.  

Also, when you forgive another, you also will release the pain, hurt, or anger that you have been nursing.  Your forgiveness of another will change your vibrations and the vibrations throughout our world.  What a wondrous gift to give! Jesus gives us the example. At the time of death, He asks pardon for His murderers (Lk ‪13:34‬). Am I capable of imitating Jesus?

Blessings

Fr. Luis+