Love

"You have heard it said love your friends and hate your enemies, but I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

Then why is it so easy to hate someone else?  Why do we find it easier to be offended by other's failures, then to forgive as we have been forgiven?  As Christians it seems more common for us to fall into anger or bitterness rather than loving and forgetting the offenses of those who have hurt us. Yet, we are called by Jesus Christ to overcome our emotions and to allow his grace to transform us so that we can actually love those who hate us.  Is there someone in your life you are angry with?  Is there someone who has hurt you that you have not yet forgiven?  When you argue with your spouse do you bring up everything they have done to hurt you, remembering their offenses in detail?

Only Christ can help you let go of the hurt that others have caused you.  The healing takes place when you truly forgive them.  Remember, forgiving someone contains a promise that you will no longer fling their offense in their face the next time you are angry at them, or they hurt you again.  Hanging onto unforgiveness because you feel the other person still has to 'make it up to you' only sets the relationship up for difficulty where someone can never meet your expectations.  Jesus is the just judge, and your forgiveness opens the door to his greater forgiveness and grace in your life - it doesn't allow another person to "get away with it."  A lack of forgiveness toward another who has hurt you does not ensure they will be 'punished for what they did', instead it only poisons your own heart.

True forgiveness can only come through prayer, humility, and the reception of the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist. But it can only come when you realize Forgiveness of another is the greatest gift you can give to yourself.