Forgiveness

Tuesday Reflection by Sr. Rosemary Fnnegan, O.P.
Readings from: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031423.cfm

The story is told of a Sunday school teacher who had just finished her lesson and wanted to make sure she had made her point to her young students. She said, “Can anyone tell me what you must do before you can obtain forgiveness of sin?”

There was a short pause and then, from the back of the room, a small boy spoke up and said: "Sin."

Our gospel today is about forgiveness.  For once, Peter actually asks a sensible question: “How often must I forgive a brother who wrongs me?”  Jewish law only required that a person forgive someone 3 times, so Peter says what he imagines to be a very generous answer to his own question…7 times.  Jesus, however, answers Peter saying, ‘not 7 times, but 77 times’, which figuratively, was a limitless number.

Forgiveness is difficult.  Thoughtless words and deeds can hurt for a lifetime.  Individuals, families, and nations hurt each other.  Jesus tells us today that the only way to make up for the past is to forgive.  There is no other way. This forgiveness takes time, recognition of the offense, and perhaps grieving some losses.  Forgiveness is a process.

And once again, Jesus models that for us.  On Calvary, he forgives those who cruelly nailed him to the cross.  After the resurrection, he appears to his apostles and says to them: “Peace”.  In that moment, he gave all of us the power to forgive.

But what if we feel there are times when we can’t forgive?  It might be well to remember that forgiveness is a choice; we can will forgiveness even when the hurt remains.  Resentment and bitterness can only continue to harm relationships.  Pray and ask God to help us find the strength to do what we cannot do on your own.

A wonderful way to ask for God’s incredible and generous mercy is to make a daily, personal act of contrition. We can say the one we memorized as kids or create one from our heart.  Either way, our sincerity in saying it can help us appreciate God’s forgiveness to us, and help us when we find ourselves needing forgiveness or when we need to forgive someone in our life.

"Lord, if someone sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.”