Forgiveness

by Fr. Jess Ty  |  09/13/2026  |  Weekly Reflection

Dear Family of God,

Why the necessity to forgive our brothers or sisters?

St. James offers this warning: "For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy" (Jas 2:13). This means that Divine and human forgiveness go hand in hand. Everyone must be tireless in forgiving each other, both the petty and the serious; the charity of Christ demands it (CCC #2227).

From the Book of Sirach, it says, “Forgive your neighbor’s injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven” (Sir. 28:2). When we forgive from the heart, God heals us from past hurts and we are at peace with God, with others and with ourselves. On the other hand, unforgiveness is self- destructive; it hinders our growth and robs us of peace.

We have been forgiven a debt which is beyond all paying – the debt of the sin of all mankind which brought about the death of God's own Son – and, if that is so, we must forgive others as God has forgiven us. Having experienced forgiveness at the hands of God and God's people, we are then called and given grace to forgive those who wound us in turn and so make it possible for others to experience God’s Mercy through us. The gates of forgiveness are always open to anyone who turns away from sin (CCC #982).

May our Lady of Joy help us all to strive to be merciful as God is merciful to each one of us.

Yours in Christ through Mary Immaculate.