"We, for our part, love because He first loved us" (1 Jn 4:19), and we forgive because the Lord first forgave us. Our being forgiven by God is the source of our forgiving others. The Lord says to each of us: "I had pity on you" (see Mt 18:33). When the older brother of the prodigal son focused on how much better he had been than his younger brother, the older brother refused to forgive and thereby showed that he too was a prodigal son (Lk 15:29ff). When we focus on the injustices done to us, we will not accept the grace to forgive. However, when we "look on Him Whom [we] have pierced" (Jn 19:37) and tremble in thanksgiving at the awesome forgiveness the Crucified has given us, the forgiveness that has come to us will go through us even to our worst enemies.

Alexander Pope said "To err is human; to forgive is divine." Therefore, God's forgiveness for us is the only source of forgiveness. This source of forgiveness is inexhaustible. From Jesus, we can forgive seventy times seven times — indefinitely times indefinitely (Mt 18:22). Consequently, let us accept the grace to forgive everyone for every sin forever.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Richard L. Klug, February 27, 2003

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 3, 2003