The whole of Matthew 18 teaches about “community life” and its intricacies about human relationships. Last Sunday, the Lord taught that we must correct our erring brother or sister because we responsible for each other and that we belong to one community, thus we are all brothers and sisters united under the Fatherhood of God. In correcting, our aim is to win over our erring brother or sister, devoid of judgement, embarrassment and humiliation.

In today’s Gospel, Peter approached Jesus and asked him this thought-provoking question: “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many times as seven times?” He thought he was being generous when he mentioned “seven times” a number which signifies wholeness, completeness and perfection, a number that is associated with God. Jesus answered him: “I say to you, not seven time but seventy-seven times,” which is equivalent to 539, a figure which signifies “infinite” or “countless times.” Our capacity to forgive must be limitless. But we know for a fact that this is easier said than done. Peter’s question and Jesus’ answer solicit a beautiful parable of the unforgiving servant. In the end, we might end up with the same fate as the unforgiving servant if we fail to forgive an erring brother or sister. Thus, our ability to forgive from our heart will solicit or lead to God’s forgiveness. And our inability to forgive will also warrant unforgiveness from God, thus risking our own salvation.

For those of us who find it very difficult to forgive, allow me to share with you some practical pointers to live by to forgive.

First, we must accept that we need a divine grace or strength to forgive because our human tendency when we are hurt is to fight back or to get even. Remember, the famous adage: “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” We often follow this rule of the jungle. We must allow the divine to spark within us to forgive the wrong. Thus, the famous quote: “To err is human, to forgive, is divine.”

Second, we must consider how many times have we committed our sins and faults in our lifetime or on a daily basis. According to a proverb, even a virtuous person commits faults seven times in a day. Just think about the many sins you have committed against God and against your brothers and sisters. All these should make us humble before the presence of God.

Third, forgiveness presupposes humility on our part. Without this virtue, forgiveness is difficult. It is our sin of pride that blocks our ability to forgive and even ask for forgiveness.

Fourth, when we forgive those who wrong us, we follow the divine injunction of Jesus: “Forgive, that you may be forgiven.” Our ability to forgive solicits God’s forgiveness. In fact, it is the condition of God’s forgiveness. The Lord’s prayer reminds us: “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sinned against us.”

Incidentally, this year we celebrate 800 years since the “Transitus” or passing on of St. Francis of Assisi to eternal life. We are being invited or challenged to ponder, reflect, and think about what he said in his famous prayer: “Make me a channel of your peace…where there is injury, pardon…for it is in pardoning that we are pardoned.” Finally, when we forgive our brothers and sisters who wrong us, we truly live as God’s children. Let’s remember that we belong to one community of believers under the Fatherhood of God. Our Father is happy when he sees his children living together in unity, harmony, and peace. He is sad when his children are fighting each other; and many more are living together in hatred and contempt. The beatitudes aptly put it: “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God.”

St. Pope John Paul II visited his assailant Medved Ali Agca, in prison, after recovering from his wounds, and he forgave him. He even promised to support his family while he was serving his prison term. St. John Paul II is a good and holy person whom we should emulate with regards to forgiveness and reconciliation.

BACK TO LIST