Forgiveness

Sunday's Gospel reading from St. John, contains those wonderful words, "Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them..." (John 20:23).  It's such a wonderful feeling one has inside after receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Yet, forgiveness doesn't just happen in the sacrament we receive; it is something that we must extend to each other as well.

Compassion perhaps becomes a synonym for forgiveness, as shown by Jesus himself during his crucifixion and death.  In extending forgiveness to those who cruelly nailed him to the cross, and assuring one of the criminals crucified along with him that "Today you will be with me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43), His last teaching spoke most eloquently of all that he had taught during his three years of ministry. 

St. Paul, in his letter to the Colossians (3:12-15), perhaps best sums up what is meant by forgiveness:

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.  And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.  And let the peace of Christ control you hearts, the peace into which you were also called in the one body.