God-like Forgiveness versus Human Forgiveness

God-like Forgiveness versus Human Forgiveness

Submitted by Thomas Stidl

         I bas today’s article on a passage from Luke 17:3-4.  To paraphrase this passage, Jesus would like us to forgive our neighbor if he wrings you and repents of that action.  Even if your neighbor should wrong you seven times, and repent seven times, you must forgive him seven times.  This is in my estimation, human forgiveness.  It follows a pattern.  First, you are offended.  Second, the offender returns to apologize.  Third, you forgive.

         Then, what you may ask is God-like forgiveness?  First, it takes into reality that we are all humans and make mistakes.  Second, we acknowledge that the Holy Spirit exists in some form in the offender.  This is true for all Christians living in the state of grace where he is completely present and active.  In the case that the offender is not in the state of grace, the Holy Spirit exists outside this person.  He is tugging at that soul to embrace a deeper relationship with Him.  That relationship will propel the offender to follow His promptings and go to Mary, the Mother of God.  As a good mother, Mary will help to clean the offender’s soul and make the person more presentable to her son, Jesus who will present him to the Father.  The only other case is that the offender is not of our Christian faith.  The Holy Spirit will tug at that soul to begin a conversation so as to bring him into the true fold. 

         Third, the person who was offended should forgive the wronging party before he apologizes or if he never apologizes.  This is God-like forgiveness.  We see a perfect example of this in another part of the gospel.  At the crucifixion of Jesus, the Divine Savior issues these words, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”  Another example of God-like forgiveness is found in the Acts of the Apostles.  As Saint Stephen was being martyred. He offered the same sentiments.  Let’s try to put this into action in our daily lives especially when someone cuts us off on the highway and other occasions.  Let’s try to be more God-like in our relationships with our fellow man taking to heart the words of the Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us or debts as we forgive our debtors.”

         Until next time, Laus Tibi, Christe.  Deo Gratias.  Gloria Tibi Domini.  Praise be to God.  See you in Paradise. Amen.