Forgiveness is Possible

Readings for Thursday June 18, 2009

First Reading: 2 Corinthians 11:1-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 111
Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15


"If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions." (Matthew 6:14-15)

I recently read a story about a boy, who as a baby was injected with the HIV infected blood by his father who sought to hurt the boy. The boy did develop AIDS, and to this day is still dealing with the physical and emotional aspects of this disease. But this boy, Brryan Jackson, has now graduated high school and is using his story to inspire others. Although Brryan has AIDS, he is on the journey of healing, because he is being healed emotionally and spiritually, Brryan has chosen to forgive his father for what he did to him. This beautiful act of forgiveness is one that we all can certainly learn a lot from. This boy will never be the same, he will not be able to experience many things in life, and he will always be discriminated against from a public who does not understand this disease. This is all because of someone else, who in their own selfishness and hate decided to harm and try to take away many things in this boy's life. But no matter what disease Brryan or any of us get, one things that can never be taken away is our faith, and from this faith, we have to power to forgive others who do us wrong.

Jesus tells us today that if we forgive others, then we too will be forgiven; but if we do not forgive others, we will not be forgiven. We must always remember that we are human, and we all have made so many mistakes in our lives. We all need to be thankful for the mercy that God offers us, and for His willingness to forgive; but if we are not willing to forgive how can we expect to be forgiven? Many times people say things like, "what that person did to me was so awful, I will never be able to forgive them." The truth about statements like this is that it isn't that someone can't forgive, it is that they do not want to forgive. After reading a story like Brryan Jackson's, and his willingness to forgive; we should never say that we can't forgive, because this boy shows us that it is possible even in the worst situations.

If we truly want to be forgiven of all our mistakes, then we too need to forgive as this boy has done. It is possible, but we need to be willing to surrender our pride, and choose to love instead of hate. If you are harboring any negative thoughts or finding it difficult to forgive, then ask Christ today to soften your heart, and to give you the grace to be able to forgive out of love.

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.