Forgiveness is a big mark of our Christian virtue.  A good follower of Jesus and a good Christian can easily be noticed by his/her lifestyle of understanding, patience, love and forgiveness.  We often hear people say things like, "Oh she/he is a very understanding person; he is a good person; or she is a good Christian; She is a good Catholic; she easily forgives."

Jesus Himself says: "Forgive, just as your Heavenly Father will always forgive you."  When Jesus received insult, mockery and condemnation from people He came to love and save, His response was simpley: "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do."  His intention was still to love and save them. He did not want them to perish.  He could have used His Devine power to react back to them, but He never did that or remembered to do that.  We ask forgiveness from Jesus all the time and He grants it to us, but how often and strong do we express that faith and conversion by forgiving and understanding others who trespass against us?  Or even create room for dialogue with them?  How do I make effort as a Christian to be the one to initiate the process of healing instead of waiting for the other person to do that first?

Forgiveness brings healing and conversion.  Forgiveness frees us from internal burden and sin; forgiveness makes us a better person and unites us more intimately with God and with one another.  Above all, forgiveness brings out the best of Christ's quality in us.  It may be a better thing not to be counting how many times someone has wronged us, but may be a helpful and healthy thing to reflect how often I am faithful to God, or how many people have I brought back to the Lord through my attitude as a Christian?

Jesus has formed us as disciples to continue the spirituality and mission of forgiveness to all corners of the world.  May we see that as a call and mission to dialogue, forgive, love and reconcile with anyone who offends us.  We are all brothers and sisters in the Lord!