FORGIVENESS

The English poet Alexander Pope wrote the phrase, “To err is human, to forgive is divine.” Forgiveness is a difficult task. It is not weakness. In fact, it takes strength to forgive when we have been deeply hurt. Receiving and giving forgiveness is central to our Christian faith. We are called to mirror God’s unlimited forgiveness in our lives especially in our world where there is so much violence, hatred and culture of death. God loves and forgives because the world does not know how to love and forgive. Forgiveness from the heart is only possible by the grace of God. But the good news is that forgiveness is good for our health. Most doctors today agree that harboring resentment, unforgiveness and negative feelings are largely responsible for the ailments we suffer today. When we harbor anger and wrath, we close our hearts to receive the forgiveness and acceptance that God keeps giving us. We don’t hold grudge. It holds us. Forgiveness therefore, is liberating, healing and empowering. In the Gospel of Matthew (18:21-22), Peter asks Jesus, “How often must I forgive, as many as seven times?” The response of Jesus is shocking: “Not seven times but seventy-seven times.” He demolishes the careful construction of Peter. He does not teach a math lesson but  a grace lesson. Christian forgiveness is beyond calculation. We are to throw away the calculator when it comes to forgiveness. To keep track is not forgiveness at all. It is because we receive forgiveness from God and we make it possible for others to experience it. Seventy-seven times is radical forgiveness. It is unlimited, boundless and unconditional. We have no right to place any limit on forgiveness. God’s willingness to forgive us depends on our willingness to forgive others. In the Lord’s prayer we say, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who  trespass against us. Our very salvation depends on it. We don’t go to heaven alone. We go to heaven by bringing others closer to God. God forgives us without limits. If we are to be like Him and that is our calling in life, we must do the same. Our goal in life is union with God and that is the only meaning of our living. Our life today is training ground to learn how to love so that we are ready to be in that perfect love we call heaven. We cannot abuse the compassion and mercy of God. We are called to be ambassadors of forgiveness and ministers of reconciliation. Our world today is so much divided and fragmented. The Church is the physical presence of Christ in our tormented world today. We are called to witness that God’s love will ultimately prevail  Because love never fails.