Dear Friends,

 

In this Sunday's Gospel Jesus puts the ideal of forgiveness before us.  Not to forgive is to carry a heavy burden.  It limits our freedom.  Having said that, it is not always easy to forgive if one has been hurt by someone.  Forgiveness can be very difficult.

Forgiveness does not mean you forget the hurt that has been caused, it is rather not being stuck in the hurt.  It is about empowerment not to be crushed by the hurt.  When we don't forgive we give the power to the one who hurt us to still have the power over us.  Jesus forgave those who insulted Him and murdered Him.                        

As life and actions teach us, that by the cross of God we can forgive.  Maybe for a while all that a person can do is to ask God for the cross to be able to forgive, and this may take time.                        

So forgiveness is about moving on and is about trying to love as God loves.  This is not easy.  Throughout life with the cross of God we can get unstuck and move on to continue to grow in love, and even become the wounded ourselves healers of others.

 

Bishop Charles Gauci