Lesson 9

JESUS WHO TAUGHT US FORGIVENESS

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                                Jesus showed us a good example even during the great agony on thecross. Jesus interceded with his Father for those who tortured him so cruelly.Lying on the cross he prayed, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Lk 23: 34)  By forgiving and praying for those who hurt him bywhip lashes, crown of thorns, ridicules and crucifixion, Jesus sets before us the great example of practicing his teaching, 'love your enemies'. 

     

     

    New Teaching

     

                        Till the time of Jesus the law was, “an eye for an eye”, “a tooth for a tooth”. But Jesus rectified this law. Jesus taught,  “If any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your  coat; give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also thesecond mile” (Mt. 5: 39- 41). Jesus taught, “Love your enemies and pray forthose who torment you”. He assured us that by following this teaching we shall become children of the heavenly father who let the sun rise over the good and the bad people and who makes the rain fall on the righteous and on theunrighteous. 
     
                  Jesus asks For if you love those who love you, what reward, do youhave? Do not even tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only yourbrothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?” (Mt. 5: 46- 47). Jesus hopes that his disciple wouldbehave in a much better way than what is generally done. He said: “For I telyou, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, youwill never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 5: 20). Perfection is what he wantsof us, for he says, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly father is perfect” (Mt. 5: 48)

     

    Forgiveness without Confines

     

                                Jesus taught us that we should not put  limits to forgiveness. Once, representing the disciples, Peter asked Jesus “Lord, if another member of theChurch sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times? Jesus said to him, Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times (Mt. 18:21- 22). By this Jesus meant that our forgiveness should have no limits. Theteaching of Jesus is that even if a person approaches you several times a dayfor forgiveness, each time you must be prepared to forgive. 

     Relief from Debts

     

                           In the Lord's Prayer we request, 'Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors'. For God to forgive our numerous sins, we should forgivethe wrongs that others do to us. Jesus has tried to make this truth clear by abeautiful parable described below.

                             A king had a servant who owed him ten thousand talents. When he wasunable to repay the debt in due time, the king ordered all his property to be sold to raise the money for the payment. But that servant fell on his knees before the king and begged   “Lord, forgive me. I shall pay all my debts The king feeling pity for him wrote off all his debt. But the same servant, as he came out, saw afellow servant who owed him a hundred denarii, (100 denarii is much less invalue than even 1 talent) and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe me.” This servant pleaded with him saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you But he refused. Then he threw him into the prison until he would pay the debt.
                     
                           The king, who came to know of this from other servants, summoned himand said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because youpleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave?” And in anger his lord handed him to be tortured till he paid his debt.” After narrating this parable Jesus tells us So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.(Mt. 18: 35).

    The Example of Jesus

     

                               Jesus taught us to forgive, not just through his words, but through hisexample as well. He treated with tolerance those scribes and Pharisees whowere forever accusing him and judging him. He mercifully forgave the sins of allwho came to him or were brought to him. He addressed Judas, who came tobetray him by a kiss, as He made Peter, who denied Jesus three times,the head of his church. Above all, he forgave completely those who crucifiedhim and prayed for them
               
                        Of the two who were crucified with Jesus, when the one on the left ridiculed him, the other rebuked him and said to Jesus  “Remember me when you come into your kingdom  (Lk 23: 42). Jesus forgave all his sins and promised,  “Today you shall be in paradise with me 

    Sacrifice and Forgiveness

      

                   We can offer the sacrifice only with a mind of reconciliation, havingforgiven everyone. Sacrifices offered without forgiveness, keeping hatred in mind, will not be acceptable before God. Before the supreme sacrifice on Calvary Jesus forgave his enemies when he was lying on the cross. Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount,  “When you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift”  (Mt. 5: 23- 24). The first hymn in our Holy Mass reminds us of the need for reconciliation. We sing... 
     
         'Let us all be reconciled
    And prepare a new altar
    With the love of Lord Jesus
    Let us offer this sacrifice.
     
    In this hymn, we are declaring that we have no enmity to any one and that we stand there with a reconciled mind, having forgiven everyone. At this moment if we have ill will towards any one, we must forgive it there itself in our heart and thus become worthy to offer the sacrifice. The rite of reconciliation and the offering of peace to each other, serve as reminder to us that we must orgive one another  By offering peace to one another we imply that we have no hatred to any one. During the  By offering peace to one another we imply that we have no hatred to any one. During the 
     
                           St. Paul advises us, “Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive”  (Col. 3: 13). Following the teachings and examples of Jesus, let us also practice forgiveness. 

    Let us Pray

     

    O! Jesus, who prayed on the cross for those who crucified you, help us to overcome evil by goodness
     
     

    Read the Word of God and Narrate

     

    Matthew 18:21-35
     
     

    Word of God for our Guidance

     

    "If you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you" (Matthew.6:14).
     
     

    Let us do

     

    Write about an incident where you received happiness by forgiving someone.
     
     

    My Decision

     

    I will forgive those who offend me instead of taking revenge

     

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