By Thamajoy Reang csc –
Readings: Dan 9:4b–10; Lk 6:36–38
“He that cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven; for everyone has need to be forgiven.” – George Herbert
I cannot give something to someone that I do not have; I can only give others what I have. Similarly, I cannot really forgive someone unless I have forgiven my own self. The first reading teaches me to recognize and acknowledge my sins before God, who is ever ready to forgive.
The Gospel teaches me to be as holy as the heavenly Father while forgiving the sins of others with my whole heart, so that I may also be forgiven by God. Many times, in my community life, I have expected my friends to apologize for what they have done, even though they may not have been wrong. But I have blamed them by saying that they should not have done this. By hiding my mistakes from situations, I have tried to act innocent, so that I may not be judged by my friends. But when somebody points out my mistakes, I find it difficult to accept them. I become aggressive towards that person and try to put him down in return. Even if someone apologizes for what he has done, I find it difficult to forgive and forget. But today, Jesus comes into my heart and
speaks to me that I need to recognize my wrongdoings so that I may not be judged by others but be forgiven.
O God I come to you, help me to be forgiving, so that I become a humble servant to you and to your people. O God, give me your love and mercy, so that I may have a heart of forgiveness towards my fellow beings.