To be a disciple of our Lord means to be willing to follow Him anywhere even into the depths of hell. Like Him, it means to be vulnerable and open to be hurt. “To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from him who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt” (Luke 6:29). Like Jesus, the Christian’s first response is to offer forgiveness without any expectations. Christ said, “Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great (Luke 6:35).

Christ taught us to pray, “forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us”(Matthew 6:12). Each time we repeat these words, we are asking to be forgiven by God in the exact measure that we forgive others. We are exhorted by the Apostle Paul that, “If one has a complaint against another, forgive each other as the Lord has forgiven you” (Colossians 3:13).

Forgiving others is painful. It goes against the grain of our fallen nature. Yet, our blessed Savior set the example for His followers when He was hanging on the Cross. He refused to become bitter and resentful over His human fate, but as an act of pure love, He voluntarily offered Himself for the life of the world as a “lamb that is led to the slaughter,and like a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7). At the Last Supper, Jesus shared Himself in communion with his betrayer Judas knowing his wicked intentions and forthcoming deed. Instead of striking dead His captors in the Garden of Gethsemene, He freely surrenders and even performs a miracle there by healing Malchus, the servant of the High Priest whose ear was severed by the Apostle Peter (John18:10, Luke 22:50-51). Instead of cursing at those who crucified Him He pronounced, “forgive them, they know not what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

Forgiveness is the only oil sufficient to transform all things. Each time we are harmed in word or deed, God presents to us a unique opportunity for spiritual growth. Therefore, refraining from taking our frustrations out on people is always the correct choice, “for we are not contending against flesh and blood,” said the Apostle Paul, “but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). There is a popular spiritual phrase which says, “hate the sin but love the sinner.” I would just caution to not to spend too much time hating the sin because there are sinners waiting to be loved.

Why is it that we concentrate on the sins of “others”, yet think of ourselves as sinless? Consider this: while a killer has taken the life of another, the Apostle John tells us that if we hate our brother, we are committing murder (1 John 3:15). While an adulterer has participated in sexual relations outside of marriage, Jesus Christ told us that even if a man should even look at a woman lustful, he commits adultery (Matthew 5:28). Is there anyone willing to cast the first stone to destroy somebody physically or verbally who is without sin? (John 8:7) Is anyone reading this not see the log in their own eyes and yet is ever so eager to point out the splinters in others? (Matthew 7:3-5) We all too often fail to acknowledge the logjams in our own lives yet try to correct “sinful” others.

Many people make sacramental confession a yearly phenomenon. They approach the confessor with tears and promise not to sin again. The priest receives the repentance in the name of the Church and offers absolution in the Name of the Lord. Yet, the Lord knows us all too well. He knows that we will probably commit the same sin over and over. Despite hearing it all before, God is ever so patient and merciful. He does not withhold His grace from anyone who approaches the Throne with a contrite spirit, but once again grants it freely. God does not look at perfection, only our progress.

It is difficult to forgive someone who has deeply hurt you: the betrayal by a friend, the breaking of marriage vows, adultery, theft of character or injuring someone with our words or in an accident. God has allowed these events to enter into your life so that forgiveness is not just something that you read in books or some virtue practiced solely by heroes and saints, but a real and living experience which God gives to us to liberate our hearts, minds and souls, and bring us into a deeper communion with each other.

If forgiveness is needed to help an individual grow spiritually, then it is certainly a vital ingredient for our churches to flourish. Beyond the many five year plans and PowerPoint presentations made on the subject, ask yourself: Can any church community grow regardless of denomination or jurisdiction unless there is forgiveness among its members? Can any church dare proclaim the Gospel to others without practicing forgiveness?

Without the Cross, there is no forgiveness of sins and any chance of reaching heaven. If our church structures are adorned proudly with crosses on the top of our domes and steeples, would it stand to reason that this congregation must not only believe in forgiveness, but is proclaiming it boldly to the world? Isn’t putting a cross on top of a church an open declaration that God and forgiveness are found here; come and experience it? Otherwise, then the cross that adorns our domes and steeples becomes a simple decoration, or worst, an idol, and not a statement of God’s unconditional forgiveness for humanity.

We should be icons of Christ’s forgiveness not just once a year on the first day of Great Lent, but everyday. Imagine if bishops would stop emphasizing their authority to bind the sins of others, but instead their eagerness to loose them, so that, the church can breath again the air of mercy and grace! If they would point to forgiveness as a cure for our ecclesial disunity, members of the Body of Christ would again experience an ever-deepening communion with each other. Christ is calling our shepherds to take the lead. “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant" (Matthew 20:26).

It is not only important to participate in the Rite of Mutual Forgiveness with the parishioners of your community, but in a heart-felt way forgive someone who has hurt you even in the slightest way. Keep in mind that life is short; your soul may be required on you this night (Luke 12:20), so don’t put off what must be done right now.

Reflect on these:
- For any individual to grow spiritually, they must offer forgiveness regardless the personal cost.
- For any Church to grow and expand its mission in society, the hierarchy and clergy must stop the rivalry among themselves and demonstrate their love for each other through forgiveness.
- For any church to grow it must not be a slave to the past, point to the mistakes of popes, patriarchs, bishops, priests, theologians and others, but be true ministers of reconciliation.
- For any congregation to grow to must forgive each other before offering their gifts on the holy Altar.
- For any family to grow they must forgive each other daily and never let the sun go down on their anger.
- For any married couple to grow, they must forgive each other even for the littlest of misguided words and actions knowing the Christ is the invisible partner in that relationship.

The apostle Paul told the Corinthian church, “when reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate” (1 Corinthians 4:12-13). Humanly speaking, when one is wronged, it is difficult to forgive. Yet divinely, Christ cries to us from His Cross to forgive others. Though forgiveness is unpopular, it liberates the soul and heart.

Radical forgiveness acknowledges that nobody is perfect. Through repentance and change of heart, all things can be made new again including churches, communities, marriages, families and individuals. The God Who created the universe is powerful enough to transform the human heart. God’s promises are true; the devil is a liar. He can forgive any sin; each of us is that precious in His sight.

©2005 - Raymond J. Mastroberte
12/2/05