Why Forgiveness?

I know the title of this article seems almost silly, but I think that many of us ask this question, even if only implicitly, on a regular basis.  Why must I ask for forgiveness and why must I forgive others?

On one level, the simple answer is because Jesus said so.  In countless places, the Gospels recount Jesus’ teachings on forgiveness.  We must forgive our brother or sister to inherit eternal life (see, for instance, Mark 11:26).  Moreover, He gave us the example to follow when He offered the first Mass at the Last Supper “for the forgiveness of sins,” and then the following day, forgave those who were nailing Him to the cross (Luke 23: 34).

More than this though, we need to forgive for our own sake.  Far too often, we cling to our own sins against others, or their sins against us.  The end result is that we turn in on ourselves.  We clutch that, almost like Ebenezer Scrooge clung to every last dollar.  Rather, we, like Ebenezer, are only truly free when we let go of what binds us…in this case, our faults and failings and the times when others have failed us.

This Christmas season, I challenge you to make two resolutions:  First, go to Confession and seek God’s forgiveness.  Second, be reconciled with someone in your life.  Maybe he or she wronged you.  Maybe you wronged him or her.  Regardless of whomever is at fault, the key thing is to reconcile and be set free.