The first reading from the Book of Sirach reminds us to release or turn over to the Lord our anger and desire for vengeance, for it is God’s role, not ours, to punish those who have done evil. We are not to be vengeful; we are to forgive.“The vengeful will suffer the Lord’s vengeance, for he remembers their sins in detail,” Sirach writes. But as for us, we must forgive: “Forgive your neighbor’s injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.”
It is important to remember, however, that forgiving another does not mean absolving them of responsibility. To forgive another is to confirm that they have done wrong and are in need of forgiveness. Mercy does not cancel out justice or the need for conversion, but it does open up a path of charity that encourages and promotes conversion and justice. For the Christian in the world, we live in mercy and we long for justice, but we entrust final justice (final conversion) always to God. As long as we believe in the power and mercy of God, we always hope for this.
Note that the reason given for why we should forgive, both in Sirach and in the Psalm, is that none of us are free of sin and guilt. We are all sinners, we have all done wrong. Yet, God forgives us, and so we must forgive others. The Psalm proclaims that God “has not dealt with us as our sins merit, nor requited us as our deeds deserve.” God treats us with forgiveness, love and compassion, and we must do the same. As we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
Again in the Gospel, the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, we hear the story of the master (representing God) who forgives the servant of his debt (the servant represents us). The message is that God forgives us not because we deserve it, but because God is merciful. Yet, when that servant does not extend the same forgiveness to others, he gets himself into trouble, for he has not acted toward others the way the master acted toward him. We are called to forgive those who sin against us. This message is made clear by Peter’s question to Jesus, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answers, “Not seven times but seventy-seven times” (Mt. 18:21-22).
We have probably heard this instruction many times and we can sometimes take it for granted. It may be easy to apply to everyday situations: I will forgive you for leaving your dishes in the sink, being late to pick me up, forgetting my birthday, etc. But in fact, these everyday situations are ultimately about developing an attitude of forgiveness that can define our lives. Without that kind of attitude, what will we do about the really difficult situations in life:
…the close friend who says something hurtful behind your back; …the spouse who cheats;…the murderer on death row; …the terrorists who plotted and carried out the attacks on September 11, 2001?
Our inclination may be simply to say that some things are too terrible to forgive. Certainly, it is only human that we must often go through a period of anger, bitterness, and mourning. Indeed we will never forget some wrongs.
But there is great wisdom in Jesus’ words about forgiveness. Our human experience tells us that when we hold on to anger and hatred, it eats away at us. It can begin to change us and make us into persons we never wanted to be. In some ways, forgiveness frees the one who forgives from carrying that burden. We can let it go and entrust the other to God who is better able to deal with them. Finally, this teaching on forgiveness is about being able to live with the peace of love instead of hate, which tears and destroys.
Jesus is not urging us simply to be passive in the face of evil. We must work to protect the innocent and to hold those who perpetrate crimes against humanity accountable. But at the same time we are called to forgive even while asking, in love, how we can move forward in truth and love. Forgiveness requires that we address the situation in a positive and loving way, instead of with fear and hatred.
The U.S. Catholic bishops wrote in their statement shortly after the attacks that in difficult times it is our faith that can sustain us. They reminded us then, as they do now, that instead of fear and hatred, we must make this:
· A time for prayer: for victims and families; for leaders; for the military; for an end to violence; for the Afghan people; and for our adversaries as well.
· A time for teaching: to better learn Catholic teaching on war and peace.
· A time for dialogue: with Muslims, Jews, fellow Christians and other faith communities.
· A time for witness: to live our values of mutual respect, human dignity, respect for life, and security without resorting to discrimination.
· A time for service: to continue to provide assistance to those still hurting both here and abroad.
· A time for solidarity: with all who live under the threat of violence and uncertainty each day. And…
· A time for hope: in God’s grace, in ourselves, and in one another.
Remember, forgiveness does not mean doing nothing. Many tasks must be achieved in the work for peace, forgiveness and reconciliation. We all must play a continuing role to make it happen. We can pray, teach, engage in dialogue, and urge our leaders to work together for peace and to eliminate injustice.
