First Reading: Jo 3:7-10a. 11. 13-17; Psalm: 114. R. v. Alleluia; Gospel: Mt 18:21-19:1

FORGIVENESS

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” C. S. Lewis.

Forgiveness is one of the most challenging and difficult thing to do especially when the hurt is so deep and deliberate. We can find it even more difficult to forgive when we try to replay the whole hurtful scenario in our minds. Sometimes we can even see ourselves as stupid and weak when we forgive especially when the offender feels no speck of remorse for the offence committed against us. But let us always remember this: “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong” (Mahatma Gandhi).

The mercy of God is bigger than all our sins and offences, and this is why no sin is too big for God to forgive. If God cannot forgive sins, then it means that the power of sin has overpowered God’s mercy. But this is not the case. And this is why we should forgive because when we fail to do so, we lose the communion we share with the God who forgives unconditionally. And this would mean that we are in opposition to God’s way of showing mercy.

It takes a strong person to say “I’m sorry” and a stronger person to forgive. Whoever is it that has offended or hurt us so deeply; Jesus is asking us not to count the hurt but the gain. And the gain is that we shall also be forgiven by our Father in heaven whenever we err and ask for mercy; for the merciful begets mercy. If no sin is bigger than God our Father to forgive; then no hurt should be bigger than his true children to forgive also.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Heavenly Father, grant us the grace to forgive as your true children that we are. Amen.