“If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” (Mt. 6:14)

Jesus spoke these words immediately after giving the disciples the Lord’s Prayer, apparently to highlight the importance of the petition on forgiveness — “forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”  We can’t expect God to forgive us of our sins if we are not forgiving others of their sins against us.

Many years ago, a friend and I joined a music group playing our guitars for a Saturday evening mass at a small parish in Armonk, New York. After a couple of months, we were abruptly asked to leave without any explanation.  We were angered by the summary dismissal and dwelt on it for several months.  At a Christmas Eve mass during the sign of peace I felt the nudge to walk over to the music group leader and offer the sign of peace, which led to a hug of forgiveness.    The leader and I became close Christian friends and still stay in touch. My guitar playing friend continued to remain angry.  

When Peter asked how many times we should forgive, Jesus said “not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”  Jesus then shares the parable of the unforgiving servant who, after having his debt forgiven by his master, did not do the same with a fellow servant. When his master learned of this, he responded, “You wicked servant!  I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.  Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?” (Mt. 18:21- 35)

We remember the example of Jesus’ unforgettable words from the cross, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) Forgiveness is absolutely essential for the advancement of the kingdom of God on earth.

Without God’s grace, our nature is not to forgive. We hold a grudge or seek revenge, “an eye for an eye.” But unforgiveness is like a cancer.  It gives rise to anger and resentment, robbing us of our peace and affecting us as negatively as the original wrong.  This effect applies to groups, tribes, and nations as well as individuals, and has led to a never-ending cycle of violence throughout human history.

Are you brooding over a past hurt or wrong that God is waiting for you to forgive?