Bro. Paul Nguyen Minh Loc | Province of Viet Nam

When I started learning English, one of the first terms that I learned was the word "sorry". It was one of the most impressive word for me when communicating in English. I noticed that people say sorry to one another from time to time. As for me, I do it also from here at the prayer room to the refectory, I might kick Peter and I say, "Sorry dear".

We often say sorry to apologize to others. We recognize that we have done wrong or we have hurt him or her intentionally or even accidentally. We say sorry to ask them for forgiveness. However, I wonder, how often do I forgive others? Do I forgive others easily when they offend or hurt me?

I used to think that forgiveness was easy until I experienced it. 10 years ago, when I was about to leave the diocesan seminary for work, I talked a lot to one of my fellow diocesan seminarian. Because I trusted him, I shared with him my concerns and even my feeling of staying there in the seminary. A few days after I left, I was informed that the formator was furious with me because that seminarian reported to the formator about the negative things I had shared with him. I was very disappointed and angry at the same time. I planned to come back to the seminary to beat him, thankfully I didn't because he looked bigger than me. Many years passed by and still I find it difficult to forgive him. When we met at a batch reunion, I didn't say anything and ignored him. Now he is preparing to be ordained to the diaconate. I told myself, I must forgive him. I must forget the hurt he caused me. But what is the reason and motivation for me to do so?

The reason and motivation to forgive him is because I have been forgiven first. I have been forgiven unlimitedly by God. From time to time I have sinned, God still forgives me, loves me, and bestowed many blessings on me despite my sins. The narrative in today's gospel presents God's unlimited forgiveness towards us, human beings. The seventy times seven of forgiveness that Jesus mentioned is not just a particular number. The big difference between ten thousand gold ingots and a hundred pieces of silver is not about the particular amount of money. It is about the unlimited forgiveness of God.

I recognize that I need to forgive those who hurt me. Not because they begged or deserved it, but because I have been unlimitedly forgiven by God first. Only when I forgive those who wrong or hurt me I will be able to receive forgiveness from God and others. Only when I live out the spirituality of mercy and forgiveness that I am able to embrace God's mercy and forgiveness in my life.

My dear friends, perhaps many of us here have been hurt or offended by someone. We even hate someone as an enemy. Saying "I forgive you" is somehow not difficult. However, sincerely forgiving and forgetting the offense is difficult. So, I think, you and I need the grace of God to be able to do that.

In the Mass, we ask for forgiveness at least twice, at the beginning of Mass we acknowledge of our sins and beat our chests to say "Mea culpa, Mea culpa, Mea maxima culpa" we ask God to have mercy on us. Later on, we beg forgiveness again as we say the Lord's Prayer… "Forgive us our sin as we forgive those who sin against us."

As we go on in life, we ask God to help us forgive those who have hurt or offended us. I believe that the power of God' blessing can help us do forgiveness sincerely in our life. May Jesus help us to live the spirituality of mercy and forgiveness to one another as he, on the cross, forgave his persecutors.

God bless!

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