The Power and Purpose of Forgiveness: A Journey to the Cross

Forgiveness is one of the greatest acts a Christian can perform, yet it is often misunderstood. Many believe forgiveness is primarily for oneself—to feel better or to free oneself from the pain caused by another’s wrongdoing. While it is true that forgiving can bring inner peace, framing forgiveness this way alone misses its deeper, spiritual essence. True forgiveness is not primarily for the forgiver; it is for the forgiven. It is not an act of self-healing but an act of selflessness, allowing God’s love and mercy to flow through us into the life of another. In forgiving, we become instruments of God’s grace.

If we believe we can forgive purely on our own, apart from God, pride and ego can easily take over. Forgiveness must always be rooted in God’s presence and grace. Through Jesus on the Cross—His ultimate act of forgiveness for us—we find both the strength and the reason to forgive others. But forgiveness is not only about offering it; it is also about humbling ourselves to ask for it when we have wronged others. Understanding forgiveness as part of His redemptive work within the Body of Christ frees us from self-centeredness and enables us to experience true peace and joy. Only then can we live as He called us to live—treating others with the same mercy and grace He has shown us.

As a Catholic Christian, I have come to see forgiveness as deeply rooted in Christ’s teachings and example. For 2,000 years, the Catholic Church has been the heart of Christianity, carrying forward the message of mercy and love flowing from the Cross. When we forgive, it is not merely a personal choice; it is a cooperation with God’s grace. It is His forgiveness we pass on, not our own.

We must also remember that asking for forgiveness is as vital as offering it. While we can approach God directly in prayer, we are not solitary individuals in our faith journey. As members of the Body of Christ, the sacrament of Confession offers us a unique opportunity to restore our relationship with God and the Church. Through the priest, acting as an instrument of God’s grace, we experience forgiveness communally. Confession reminds us of our need for mercy and allows God’s healing grace to flow into our lives. This reconciliation is both personal and communal, integral to our shared journey toward redemption.

On the Cross, Jesus did not forgive to ease His suffering or lighten His burden. He forgave out of infinite love for the sinner. His words, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34), reveal a compassion that pierces through hatred and betrayal, embodying the heart of God—a heart that longs for redemption and reconciliation.

This is the heart of the Gospel: God loves His enemies, and we are His enemies. Only by seeing ourselves in this light can we fully grasp the power of Jesus’s command, “Love your enemies.” Each time we sin, we resist His will and stand opposed to Him. Yet His love remains unwavering. As Scripture reminds us: “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!” (Romans 5:10). Recognizing our ongoing need for His mercy through daily prayer and Confession reminds us of the forgiveness we are called to extend to others—a path of renewal that the devil despises because it restores our relationship with God.

When Jesus asks us to love our enemies, He is not asking us to do anything He has not already done for us. He invites us to reflect His love—a love that embraces even those who oppose Him. The Catholic Church, for 2,000 years, has understood this truth. The sacrament of Confession does not contradict the belief that only God forgives sins; rather, it affirms it. The priest, as an instrument of God’s grace, facilitates forgiveness in the name of the Church. Similarly, when we forgive others, it is not solely our own act but participation in God’s mercy. Forgiveness is a divine work, a reflection of God’s grace flowing through us to others.

For those who do not know Christ, forgiveness must be approached with compassion. Acknowledge their pain, listen to their story, and gently introduce the idea that forgiveness is not a denial of justice but a pathway to healing. Share the truth that forgiveness comes not from our own strength but from God’s love. By doing so, we lead others to Christ, the source of ultimate forgiveness and healing.

The Crucifix stands as a symbol not of personal freedom from pain but of sacrificial love. It reminds us that forgiveness is not about “me” but about “we.” It is about restoring bonds, extending grace, and allowing light to shine into the darkest places. In forgiving, we proclaim the Gospel in action and reveal the unseen mercy of God. Forgiveness transforms both the forgiver and the forgiven, opening a pathway for God’s grace to flow.

Let us reject the shallow notion of forgiveness as merely a self-help tool and embrace the higher calling to be vessels of God’s love. When we forgive, we participate in the divine work of salvation; when we ask for forgiveness, we humbly align ourselves with God’s will. In both, we point to the truth of the Cross, glorifying God and bringing His light into a darkened world.

Look at the Crucifix:

If you want to know God, look at the Crucifix.
If you want to love God, look at the Crucifix.
If you want to know the infinite, eternal love of God, look at the Crucifix.
If you wish to have a part in giving that same love to others, look at the Crucifix.
If you want to know who you are and your worth, look at the Crucifix.
If you want to know how you were saved from the jaws of hell, look at the Crucifix.
If you want to know how much God wants to save your immortal soul, look at the Crucifix.
If you want to know Who will lead you to Heaven, look at the Crucifix.
If you want to live well, look at the Crucifix.
If you want to die well, look at the Crucifix.

Let the Crucifixion of Christ, the greatest symbol of Christianity, draw us into the depths of understanding—a love so profound that it pours itself out completely, seeking not its own benefit but the redemption of others. When we forgive, we are not just releasing our own pain but allowing the love of Christ to move through us. Forgiveness transforms us as we proclaim the Gospel in action and participate in God’s redemptive work. Let us look to the Crucifix and embrace this calling, bringing His light to the world.