Forgiveness

Forgiveness. Just what is forgiveness? According to the Pocket Catholic Dictionary by Father John A. Hardon, S.J., the following applies:

• FORGIVENESS. Pardon or remission of an offense. The Catholic Church believes that sins forgiven are actually removed from the soul (John 20) and not merely covered over by the merits of Christ. Only God can forgive sins, since he alone can restore sanctifying grace to a person who has sinned gravely and thereby lost the state of grace. God forgives sins to the truly repentant either immediately through an act of perfect contrition or mediately through a sacrament. The sacraments primarily directed to the forgiveness of sins are baptism and penance, and secondarily, under certain conditions, also the sacrament of anointing.

Yet, we are also called to forgive. Time and again, we are asked by Jesus to forgive those who have wronged us, those who have hurt us. Yet, we being too human for own good, sometimes find it almost impossible to forgive others for wrongs that they have committed against our person. I think that a good example of this is a quote from President John F. Kennedy: "Forgive your enemies, but, remember their names."

That quote I think, shows our true "human" character. We say we forgive, but, is it true forgiveness, or do we say we forgive in order to try to fool ourselves, fool our "enemies", or are we trying to fool God?

When we say we forgive, then we are to forgive others, as Our Lord forgives us. To do otherwise is not living up to his example in forgiving us. Saint John said, he who hates His brother, and says he loves the Father, is a liar. He has no love in him. I will also say, he that says he forgives his brother, but, will not forget his brothers offense, is a liar. For any man or woman who cannot and will not forget the offenses against him by his/her brother/sister, is placing themselves above God, and saying their giving or refusing forgiveness is above God's forgiveness. When we are told to forgive, we are to totally and completely forgive, and we are to totally and completely forget the wrongs done unto us. When God forgives us, our sins, our wrongs are completely forgotten by Him, as if we had never sinned. If we do not forgive as completely as God does, then we are in the wrong. By not forgiving completely, and by not forgetting what was done to us, then we are saying that we are above God. "Mary Jane was just so mean to me. I can forgive what she said, but, I'll never forget what she said!" Is that the kind of forgiveness Jesus wanted us to show? Or is the kind of forgiveness He shows us, the same kind He showed to the woman caught in adultery?

John 8:3 And the scribes and Pharisees bring unto him a woman taken in adultery: and they set her in the midst,
4 And said to him: Master, this woman was even now taken in adultery.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us to stone such a one. But what sayest thou?
6 And this they said tempting him, that they might accuse him. But Jesus bowing himself down, wrote with his finger on the ground.
7 When therefore they continued asking him, he lifted up himself and said to them: He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 And again stooping down, he wrote on the ground.
9 But they hearing this, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest. And Jesus alone remained, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 Then Jesus lifting up himself, said to her: Woman, where are they that accused thee? Hath no man condemned thee?
11 Who said: No man, Lord. And Jesus said: Neither will I condemn thee. Go, and now sin no more.

Is that not the same kind of forgiveness that we should show? For if we truly forgive, then there is nor was any wrong against us. If we say we forgive, and still manage to hold onto a grudge, still have memories of the wrongs, then we have not forgiven them as we have asked God to forgive us. We see from this that not only was she forgiven, but, her sin was forgotten, because there is no one to accuse her. In God's sight, when He has forgiven us our sins, there is no one to accuse us, no one to remember our offense, so it is as if our sin never happened.

In His prayer, He said for us to pray: "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us". How much more clear can it be?

Forgive us Father, as we forgive them who have hurt us. So that we may strive, to make our forgiveness as true, perfect, and loving as yours is to us. Strengthen us, encourage us, and embolden us, to be as loving and forgiving unto others as You, Our Lord and Master, are unto us.
Amen

James 2:8 If then you fulfill the royal law, according to the scriptures: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself; you do well.
9 But if you have respect to persons, you commit sin, being reproved by the law as transgressors.
10 And whosoever shall keep the whole law, but offend in one point, is become guilty of all.
11 For he that said: Thou shalt not commit adultery, said also: Thou shalt not kill. Now if thou do not commit adultery, but shalt kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
12 So speak ye and so do, as being to be judged by the law of liberty.
13 For judgment without mercy to him that hath not done mercy. And mercy exalteth itself above judgment.

So, let us always strive to forget the offense of those we have forgiven. Granted, we are human, we are weak, but, rely on His strength, His Love, His forgiveness to guide us, strengthen us, and encourage us to forgive others as we have been forgiven by Him. Remember, asking for forgiveness, and then bestowing forgiveness to another, is a two fold occurrence of humility. One must humble him or her self to ask forgiveness, and we being only human, must also humble ourselves, and as true Christians grant forgiveness to those who are truly sorrowful. Now, that having been said, that does not mean that once you have forgiven someone, you have to become "best friends", hang out together, have them over to your house for dinner, etc., etc. It just means you have to love them, as He loves you.

John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another.

Copyright © 2006 Steve Smith. All Rights Reserved.