Holy Family Church, Nazareth issued the following announcement on September 13.

"Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive, as many as seven times?" 

"I say to you, not seven times but as many as seventy - seven times." 

Jesus was giving this number today that the amount of times we should forgive is far greater than we could imagine. For the true follower of Christ, there can be no limits to how many times or how much he or she forgives. The Christian realizes the great mercy he or she has received from God who sent His Son to become one of us, to die for us, so that we can have eternal life. The Christian understands that next to the forgiveness we have received from God there can be no limit to the forgiveness he or she extends to others. Forgiveness brings healing. Forgiveness brings mercy of God. Holding on to anger only brings more suffering. Particularly for the person who harbors hate. 

Sometimes people will say, "I can't forgive and forget. I can never forget what he or she did to me or to my family." Forgetting might not be possible. It also might not be the best thing to do. If a man punches you in the face, you should forgive him but it would be wise to avoid him, or at least wear a hockey mask the next time you see him. Forgetting is not part of the Gospel requirement. Forgiveness is. 

The focus of our forgiveness should not just be on the person we are forgiving, or even the particular actions we are forgiving. The focus of our forgiveness should primarily be on getting back on track with our lives. Forgiveness ends up with us. We need to survive and move on from our hurts, or we will always be bogged down by our anger. 

"Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespasses against us." We might not want to forgive others, but the pain we have received from others is minor in comparison to the gifts God has given us. Look at all that we have received from Lord. We have received love, the great gift of living eternally in God's love. 

Today we pray for the grace to forgive and move on with life, just as we thank the Lord for innumerable times he has forgiven us and has himself moved on with sharing His life with us. 

~Fr. Jonas, MSC

Original source can be found here.