Forgiveness, Mercy & Intent

January 25th, 2024

Chapter 1: Forgiveness

I recall jesting with my wife earlier in my journey of faith about Jesus' directive on forgiveness: forgiving 77 times 7 times. This calculation, as it turns out, amounts to 539 times. My wife found the notion amusing and then posed a thought-provoking question: how often does someone truly offend us personally in a way that necessitates such abundant forgiveness? Even in the context of sibling arguments and debates, a single act of forgiveness can encompass multiple grievances. It's not about adhering to a specific number; rather, it's about understanding the call to forgive endlessly, for both our brothers and sisters.

This boundless forgiveness is necessary because we must trust in God's divine providence. Every occurrence, even those resulting from the free will granted to us in His image, presents an opportunity to choose forgiveness. The capacity of another to harm us is permitted by God for the mutual growth of both parties. Yet, this growth can only happen through forgiveness, openness, and a shared trust in divine providence. It's a testament to the wondrous design of God's system.

Reflecting on Matthew 18:21-22, where Jesus tells Peter to forgive not just seven times, but seventy-seven times, it becomes clear that the teaching isn't about keeping count. Rather, it's a lesson in the inexhaustible nature of forgiveness, reflecting God's own infinite mercy towards us. We are encouraged to emulate this divine characteristic in our relationships, continuously offering forgiveness as a pathway to healing, growth, and deeper understanding.

Chapter 2: Divine Mercy

How profound is the mercy of our Lord, our God! His mercy is evident in every moment, particularly when He employs our suffering as a means to shape us. We find comfort in His divine protection, knowing He shields us from harm beyond what He has ordained for us until our time to return to Him arrives. This very harm, which some struggle to trust as the best path for them, often reveals His mercy.

Consider the blessing of guilt—a suffering that allows individuals to reflect on their past with an understanding and seek forgiveness as a form of growth. This process is humbling and is something many of us must experience repeatedly to reach where we need to be. Therefore, shouldn't we extend the same divine mercy that God generously bestows upon us to others, treating them with forgiveness and compassion, recognizing our own imperfections within our guilt?

God's mercy is manifest when He saves a person from a stroke but takes away their ability to walk, making them a testament to perseverance and growth in faith, aligning with His will and plan. It's awe-inspiring to hear stories of people who, even at gunpoint, offer forgiveness. This act of mercy, in a moment of fear, can inspire others to pursue a greater understanding and curiosity about a faith they've never encountered before.

Our scrupulosity, our obsession with trying to be perfect, is itself a sign of arrogance. How presumptuous it is to think we know what perfection looks like, or to assume that His will is anything less than perfectly right. Even when His will allows us to err, it's challenging to forgive ourselves, yet therein lies the beauty of God's mercy.

Reflecting on the transformation of Saul into St. Paul the Apostle, we see God's mercy in action. God chose Saul, a man who openly expressed his arrogance, and provided him with protection and healing, even when Saul might not have seemed deserving. This act of divine mercy transformed Saul into one of the most influential figures in the church.

The story of Saul's transformation is a testament to the importance of humility in accepting God's mercy and the profound impact of being a conduit to share that mercy with others. Just as in 1 Timothy 1:15-16, where Paul speaks of Christ's immense patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life, we too are called to embody and share this divine mercy.

Chapter 3: Intent

As I reflected on forgiveness and divine mercy, I pondered what the third element of this triad should be. The answer became clear: intent. Intent is crucial, especially in our approach to forgiveness. How often do we verbally forgive, yet harbor resentment deep within our hearts? Our actions and decisions towards the person we've forgiven may lack the grace and mercy we readily extend to others. It is our intent that truly matters.

When we say "I forgive you," and they apologize, it's important to recognize the sincerity behind these words. Like a child who may not fully grasp the significance of these actions, we too must awaken to the fact that our intent is what God sees. We must genuinely, from the depths of our hearts, view the other person as another anointed one in Christ and ensure they understand our forgiveness through our actions and words. This forgiveness should ideally precede their request for it, mirroring God's proactive forgiveness.

Our intent should not be boastful, but rather a humble example of Christ's love and the Church's teachings. Consider the scenario of arriving late to Mass. If your intention was to be punctual, but unforeseen circumstances like a train delay prevented it, God understands. He knows your heart and your intent to fully participate in the Mass, not just as a routine but as a genuine expression of faith. He is merciful and patient towards these unintended shortcomings.

God sees our true intent. When our intentions are pure and full of integrity, God recognizes this and lifts us up. He encourages us to act without hesitation, for the only thing holding us back is often the judgment of those around us. Therefore, let us live our lives with the intent to forgive, to show mercy and understanding, and to forgive ourselves when we fall short in our intentions. For as 1 Samuel 16:7b says, "The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." In embracing this truth, we align ourselves more closely with God's will and find freedom in our sincere intentions.

A special thanks to Him for the men of Petros!