Daily Thought For August 12, 2021
Forgiveness Is A Process
Lectio
Matthew 18:21–19:1
Meditatio
“… how often must I forgive …?”
While studying abroad, I met a student who came from a culture and religion unfamiliar to me. This student had been offended by someone. In discussing the issue with me, it became clear that the student could not conceive of forgiving that individual. The concept of forgiveness had not been a common belief in that student’s religion. The incident confirmed for me that forgiveness is one of the radical concepts of Christianity. That doesn’t mean that Christians can easily forgive hurts and wrongdoing, especially when they affect us personally. Forgiveness of others and letting go of resentment can be difficult, and it becomes possible through the gift of grace that Christ won for us by his teaching, example, suffering, death, and resurrection.
In today’s parable, Jesus tells the story of a man who is forgiven a large debt, and then refuses to forgive another man for a much smaller offense. As we human beings travel through our earthly existence, we bump into one another and cause, or experience, injustice, anger, harsh words and judgments, physical harm, and many other acts and expressions of hostility and pain. Our deeply wounded selves tend to hold on to hurt and resentment. But forgiving and letting go offer unparalleled psychological and spiritual freedom. In a sense, forgiveness can be more important for the injured person than the one who caused the injury. To pardon is to release a cumbersome weight that keeps us imprisoned; to pardon is a divine gift that can restore our distressed and bitter hearts to serenity and joy.
Forgiveness is a process. It may be offered easily, but it may also take us a long time to arrive at the point of pardoning those who wronged us. Sometimes we may only be capable of praying for the person, asking the Divine Master to forgive in our stead until we find in our hearts the freedom of forgiveness.
Oratio
Lord, this business of forgiveness is never easy. When I do not want to forgive a person who hurt me, my distorted thinking likes to believe that I am punishing that person. But in reality, holding on to grievances hurts me even more. Give me, Lord, the grace to forgive, especially when it is difficult. Amen.
Contemplatio
“Our Father, who art in heaven … forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
Daughters of St. Paul. (2011). Ordinary Grace Weeks 18–34: Daily Gospel Reflections. (M. G. Dateno & M. L. Trouvé, Eds.) (pp. 36–37). Boston, MA: Pauline Books & Media.