"...Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us..."

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Forgiveness of others is a prerequisite to salvation. Living in a world that has become a victim of sinfulness, it does not take long before one realizes they have been wronged in some manner. Despite the hurt, God calls us to overcome the hurt with forgiveness. Indeed, not just in a small way, but in the ways we would have ourselves be forgiven (cf. Matthew18:23-35 _RSVCE_). The more we realize what causes us to act the way we do, the more we can understand why someone might hurt us. In the measure we forgive, we are forgiven.

If one were to summarize all of Christ’s universal commands in the Gospel, they would assert, “Love as God does”. However, “God is love”(1 John 4:8). Love is not a second thought to God but is His essence. We have become sinful but are no less called to be like Him.[1] Our lives should be lived for love and compassion alone.[2] Unforgiveness is incongruous to love.[3] This merciful love should come from the depths of the heart and should spare nothing.[4] Indeed, we cannot presume our forgiveness if we don’t ourselves forgive (cf. Matthew 18:23-35).

to conculde, we don’t accept our salvation when we would refuse it to another. “If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.”(1 John 4:20). Truly if we would judge our neighbor like Jesus expects us to, we would not rend punishment but mercy(cf. Matthew 7:1-5). We must be able to forgive ourselves and realize our sinfulness in the wake of sins committed against us (cf. Matthew 18:23-35).[5] If we would wish to spend our eternity with God and those He has forgiven, why should we not expect to see those who hurt us also there? If we truly would have the “Our Father” realized and answered, we must be willing to accept its implications.[6]

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, Have mercy on me a sinner."

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FN:

  1. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd ed. (Washington, DC: United States Catholic Conference, 2000), 2842.
  2.  Cf. CCC, 2842, 2845.
  3.  CCC, 2840.
  4. CCC, 2843.
  5. CCC, 2838.
  6. CCC, 2838.

I am a Theology major attending Holy Apostles College and Seminary. I am a Knight of Columbus and a Newman Ambassador for Pius XII Newman Center.

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