On October 2, 2006, 10 Amish girls were shot in their schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania. Five died and five survived. Their families immediately bestowed their forgiveness. On the day of the killings, they took food to the widow of the man who committed the atrocity. Six days after the shooting, families who had just buried their daughters attended the funeral of the killer. Money that was sent to them they diverted to the killer’s family, even though many victims faced huge medical bills.
There are many other beautiful examples of forgiveness. We have been told that Pope St. John Paul II forgave his would-be assassin while he was in the ambulance on his way to the hospital, only moments after being shot in St. Peter's Square.
It has been said that forgiveness is the heart of the Christian message. Forgiveness is a blessing that comes to us from God the Father through the actions of the Son by the power of the Holy Spirit. When we experience that through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, it can be life changing.
Sacramental forgiveness transforms our spiritual lives. We are once again the beautiful souls God created us to be. Sin is a weight that we carry. Often, we don’t realize it. It accumulates little by little. Just as our bodies gain weight ounce by ounce until one day we realize that our clothes don’t fit like they used to. The Sacrament of Reconciliation frees us from the burden of sin. The weight is immediately lifted. It is much more effective than the shots people are taking for weight loss today.
In the Lord’s prayer we say, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Do we think about what we are praying? We are committing ourselves to forgive as God forgives. Do we really mean it?
Forgiveness is perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of living our faith. When we are wronged, we often have righteous indignation. We carry a grudge. It has been said that unforgiveness corrodes the container that carries it. For ourselves and for others, we are called to forgive.
How far must we go to forgive? The Gospel this weekend provides the answer. Peter questioned Jesus, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” This is twice what Jewish law required. Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. In other words, there is no limit. We don’t keep score.
Of course, the ultimate act of forgiveness is on the cross. As He was about to die Jesus said, “Father, forgive them.” Are you ready to be forgiven? Are you a forgiving person?
Forgive as you have been forgiven. Forgive for you own benefit. Forgive because our faith requires it. It isn’t easy, but with God all things are possible.
In Christ,
Dcn. Marty Pogioli
