“If we want to move forward in faith, first of all, we must receive the forgiveness of God. We must meet the Father, who is ready to forgive everything and always,” Pope Francis told a crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square before the Angelus prayers on Saturday…….. we must meet ourselves ….. and meet others where we are

Forgiveness “heals the heart and revives love,” he added. “We must never tire of asking God’s forgiveness, because only when we are forgiven–when we feel forgiven–we learn to forgive.”

Forgiveness makes us free, though it may take time for the mind to heal from dark memories of the past. If we want this healing, we must reject the opportunity to seek our own justice. When people refuse to forgive, it is as though they carry the weight of those who wronged them on their backs; this heavy burden makes it difficult to stand tall and to run free. Also, if we refuse to ask pardon from those we have wronged, that same crushing weight falls upon us, shaming us and forcing us to turn our faces away from Jesus. 

Forgiveness must be

1. Free 

• free to give, free to receive the grace 

Forgiveness must be 

2. Unconditional 

• Forgiveness must be unconditional. Not “I will forgive, but he must do this.” Forgiveness with conditions is not forgiveness. Conditions keep the door of the heart closed, closed to the other person and closed to God as well. God cannot bring healing unless the heart is open and free of unforgiveness

Forgiveness must be 

3. Loving 

• Do not change your smile due to human weakness

Photo taken from Mount Tabour in Golden Spring Jamaica