The ultimate goodness that can come out of a bad situation is forgiveness. We all had to forgive someone or at least the opportunity. The story making headlines on forgiveness is how a young man can forgive a person for killing his brother. The young man then pleads with the judge to allow him to hug the woman. This was the ultimate act of forgiveness. This is something that Christians are called to every day.

Every day we are called to forgive. Yet, do we really do this? We say we forgive people but will still bring up the offense in another argument. Forgiving as a Catholic means that we totally let it go. We do not hold any negative feelings towards the situation. Looking at the news outlets on the story, I think is that what the Apostles did when Jesus died on the cross. Or did the Apostles hold on to the grudge that people killed their teacher?

We never look at the other side of the issue. Jesus died on the cross to forgive us from every sin we committed. If Jesus and this young man can forgive, then why can’t we. Forgiveness is not easy. Forgiveness is like the grieving process. We need to forgive people and see the goodness in them. Jesus forgives us and always sees the goodness in us. We need to stop carrying around our hurts and bitterness. Yet, the only way we stop carrying them around is by forgiving.

Forgiveness can be a powerful tool if we use it. Forgiveness allows us to release the holding on. Forgiveness allows others to see Christ in us. Forgiveness allows us to remember the good memories. While forgiveness is difficult, we have two perfect examples of forgiveness… the young man who forgave the woman and Jesus.

May we all learn how to forgive like that young man. The young man showed all of us what it means to truly be a Christian.