We live in tumultuous times. We have witnessed terrible acts of violence that have been fueled by anger and hatred. It seems like every act of protest recently ends in violence that perpetuates more anger and hatred. One of the things that we may learn from these clashes is the destructive power of anger, hatred and violence. When one harbors and nurtures unresolved anger, giving over their hearts to hatred and choosing to inflict violence on others, great evil is unleashed. Unresolved anger that results in hatred and leads to violence destroys a person and turns them into a monster that is capable of destroying innocent life with the intent of making others suffer as they have suffered. Sometimes it may even be difficult to point to the original cause of the suffering. The original offense may have happened long ago and the person who perpetrated the offense may be long gone. The person that holds on to their pain and suffering becomes capable of committing heinous acts of violence against human life. The Wisdom writings of Sirach warns us, “Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight. The vengeful will suffer the LORD’s vengeance, for he remembers their sins in detail.” (Sir 27,30f) Wrath and anger lead to a darkened heart that ends in sin and death. The Wisdom writer Sirach’s remedy for this sad situation is forgiveness. “Forgive your neighbor’s injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.”

Jesus also speaks to us about the importance of forgiveness in healing our hearts from the harmful effects of anger and hatred. Jesus warns Peter that he cannot put a limit on forgiveness. It is not enough to forgive seven times, one must be willing to forgive seventy-seven times.(Mt 18,21f) There is no limit to the Father’s mercy and compassion. Neither can we afford to allow anger and vengeance any foothold in our hearts. When we harbor anger and hatred against others then our hearts can become hardened and darkened and closed to any future relationship. We become capable of inflicting violence against others, not only those who have hurt us, but we also can misplace our anger and hatred onto others who are innocent and undeserving of our wrath. Anger and wrath that is not open to forgiveness becomes hatred that closes us off from love and future relationship. When we allow anger and violence to remain in our hearts it can result in great evil.

When we embrace the cross of Christ, release our sufferings and place them at the foot of the cross, we create room in our hearts for love, mercy and forgiveness. To stand at the foot of the cross reminds us that God chose to love and forgive rather than unleash His wrath. It is this love that brings healing and hope for the future. Through the power of the love of the cross we may be forgiven and healed from our sins and then learn to heal others and further the work of salvation. If God has so loved us then we must also love one another and forgive one another, bringing healing to the world. To experience the new life that God’s mercy and forgiveness offers us through the cross of Christ frees our hearts to forgive others who have sinned against us.

Sacred Scripture often reminds us of the need to forgive as we have been forgiven. “When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions.” (Mk 12,25f) “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” (Mt 6,14f) “All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.” (Eph 4,31f) “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; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.” (Col 3,12f) Forgiveness is not something that we are going to want to do, it is something that we must choose to do because it is clearly God’s will. God has opened the way for forgiveness, healing and reconciliation in the Sacred Heart of His Son, so must we open our hearts to forgive one another our offenses.

You might be tempted to “write-off” a relationship because you have tried and been rebuffed many times, maybe as many as seven times, but Jesus calls us to never give up on another person and continue to hope and pray for reconciliation. The Father has never given up on us and has time and again offered us forgiveness, mercy and new life. The world needs healing. True healing must begin with forgiveness and lead us to the cross of Christ.