Third Tuesday of Lent

“Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.”

When Peter asks how many times he must forgive his brother, he is asking a question we probably ask ourselves in regard to family, friends, co-workers, and even strangers. If we are sinned against, it wounds us. The closer we are to the sinner the more difficult it can be to forgive, especially if it is a grave matter. Sometimes our relationships with others are so poisoned we can hardly look at the person. However, Jesus requires us to forgive others, even those most difficult to forgive. If Judas had sought out Jesus’ forgiveness after betraying the Son of Man with a kiss, Jesus would have had mercy on him.

Would we be able to forgive a person who betrayed us in such a way as Judas? If not, then how can we get to that point of forgiveness with that person? Do we actually forgive others or do we just say we do and then bring up their failings later?

O Lord, give us the ability to forgive those who sin against us.

Amen.