3rd Week of Lent 2024 - Tuesday - To forgive is divine

Forgiveness is a profound act that holds immense power to transform not only our relationships with others but also our own hearts. It's a theme woven throughout our Scriptures, including the Lord’s parables. Forgiveness is a cornerstone of the virtuous life. 

Forgiveness isn’t easy. And people often have varying motives for withholding forgiveness: When someone has been deeply hurt or betrayed, the pain they experience can make it difficult to forgive. They may feel a person doesn't deserve forgiveness or that  forgiveness would let the other person off the hook or condone their behavior. Feelings of anger and resentment can be powerful barriers to forgiveness. Forgiveness requires vulnerability and openness to the possibility of being hurt again. Some people may withhold forgiveness out of fear of being hurt or taken advantage of again in the future.

This Lenten morning we read the Lord’s parable of the Unforgiving servant—a servant who had been forgiven his debt from his master, but who in turn refused to forgive his fellow servant. 

What was his motive for withholding forgiveness? It’s not entirely clear—was it greed? Or simply wanting to exert power over someone he had control? Did he want to feel like the big shot? He may have simply lacked empathy or wisdom. He was perhaps so egocentric or foolish that he failed to recognize the mercy he was shown was to be practiced toward others. 

Whatever his reason, the Lord Jesus is clear. He failure to forgive is despicable, unacceptable, and inexcusable. The measure with which we measure shall be measured out to us. Our failure to forgive will have eternal consequences. 

Saint Padre Pio spoke about the difficult of forgiveness. He said, "In the course of your life, you will often find yourself in situations where you have to forgive others, even when you feel they don't deserve it. But remember, forgiveness isn't something you do for the other person; it's something you do for yourself to free yourself from the burden of anger and resentment."

Forgiveness is something you do for yourself, for the sake of your own soul. Carrying around resentment and anger is spiritually poisonous. Refusing forgiveness is unholy. 

But offering forgiveness even when you don’t feel the person deserves it is a reflection of God’s own mercy because, remember, we did nothing to deserve God’s mercy. God forgave us in our most undeserving state. But it is precisely this extension of this type of mercy that Jesus calls us to. 

To err is human, to forgive is divine. May take the duty to forgive with the utmost seriousness, allowing it to heal our wounds, mend our relationships, set us free to live with greater compassion and joy, and lead us to eternal life, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For the whole Christian people, that in this sacred Lenten season, they may be more abundantly nourished by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

For the whole world, that in lasting tranquility and peace our days may truly become the acceptable time of grace and salvation.

For sinners and those who neglect right religion, that in this time of reconciliation they may return wholeheartedly to Christ.

For ourselves, that God may at last stir up in our hearts aversion for our sins and conviction for the Gospel.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy. Through Christ Our Lord.