Today’s Gospel recounts how Saint Peter questioned Jesus about forgiveness. Through Jesus’ response, Peter came to understand that forgiveness must be extended without limits. The Lord has forgiven even our darkest sins and gravest mistakes. Yet, when it comes to forgiving others, we are often hesitant and reluctant. In the Lord’s Prayer, we say, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us,” often without fully realizing the seriousness of those words. We will be forgiven according to the measure with which we forgive others. The more sincerely we forgive from our hearts, the more we experience freedom, healing, and inner peace. In this way, forgiveness becomes a blessing. However, true forgiveness cannot be achieved by human strength alone. Only through the Holy Spirit can we be healed and liberated from the wounds caused by others. When we surrender our hearts to God, he gives us the strength to forgive and restores us with his peace.

PRAYER: Abba Father, give us the grace to forgive others as you forgive us. Amen.