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The National Catholic Broadcasting Council presents Let us reflect together. 40 Days of Lent Retreat From the Cross to Hope. Day 28. Forgiveness, a new beginning. What forgiveness is with Monsignor David Rylander.

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Throughout this series, we have reflected on forgiveness as both a divine gift, as in the removal of sin, and a human choice, as in not holding resentment. Forgiveness is not a feeling but an act of will that participates in the creative goodness of God. To forgive is to step out of the darkness of resentment into the light of self-emptying love. It is to let grace transform our pain into peace and anger into compassion. Forgiveness begins with recognizing our dignity as persons, created in the image and likeness of God. This divine likeness grants us reason and free will, enabling us to choose the good even when we have been wronged. When we show mercy, we mirror the heart of the Creator, who continually forgives and renews the world through love. Pain can be a teacher. The wounds caused by betrayal or injustice awaken us to look within and ask what God is showing us through our suffering. When we bring our wounds to the crucified Christ, we gain the strength that the Father gave him to do the impossible. On the cross, Jesus showed the meaning of forgiveness. Father, forgive them. They know not what they do. Always be realistic. Forgiveness requires the surrender of resentment, rumination, and vengeance. The sacrifice may cost us pride, reputation, or the power of righteous anger, but it opens us to the healing power of God's Spirit. Like Hannah Arendt's forgiveness of Heidegger, the choice to forgive may not erase the past, but it creates a new future rooted in compassion and courage. The Father forgives our sins, and as his image and likeness, so should we, not seven times, but seventy-seven. Forgiveness is a divine act of love and an act of love on the part of the wronged toward the wrongdoer. Unforgiveness is self-destructive, a no-win situation. It poisons the heart, clouds the mind, and isolates the soul. It disrupts our peace and distances us from God and others. Forgiveness, by contrast, heals body, mind, and spirit. It restores balance and allows joy to return. It is the medicine of the soul. Each time we choose to forgive, even imperfectly, we participate in the redemptive work of Christ. Through forgiveness we discover who we are, children of a merciful Father, invited to share in his divine life. In forgiveness we live as if being in the kingdom. Jesus told us to pray for our enemies, to forgive endlessly, but to be wise as serpents. Remember that forgiveness is not excusing our wrongdoer, denying that the wrong happened, nor forgetting about it. We are not puppets of our emotions. We are the image and likeness of God, so be Godlike. My discussion on interpersonal forgiveness has not been exhaustive, nor could it be. I offer this reflection to provoke your own thoughts on how you deal with forgiving. I hope you've found it helpful. I know some of you are suffering greatly. Maybe this time has eased your pain. At least I hope it did. As your journey towards forgiveness continues, try uttering the words, I forgive you, even if you don't mean them. See what happens. You are in my prayers.

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