"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." Gospel of Luke 23:34



Forgiveness is a great virtue and it is a gift from God. When we think of forgiving oneself and others, we turn towards God, who is the source of all love and all forgiveness. Forgiveness begins from prayer. The soul which is in tuned with prayers and penance gets the strength to forgive. Giving forgiveness to somebody begins with asking God to forgive them. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the model of forgiveness. Let us reflect upon how he forgave us at the cross. He asked the father to forgive us. He prayed to the Father at the height of His agony in the midst of infliction, He prayed for the people who caused His sufferings. I remember His teaching to His disciples, when he was teaching at the shores of Galilee some time ago, not to take revenge on people who persecute but to pray for them. Now He portrayed the model of forgiveness at the cross. First He prayed to the Father to forgive the people, which will be applicable to us and all generations to come. Next, He advocated for the people to the Father by giving them excuse. He said, "they do not know what they do". Giving excuse for the people who offended comes from love which is united with Christ love. Knowing that people do not know what they do is a great place to start the forgiveness. It is a powerful rationalization for forgiveness in any dimension. When we know that people did not know what they do or they did not mean that was in a simpler term, it takes much burden of hurt out of the way. Advocating for people in prayer, giving excuse to the people assigning the action to their ignorance are two great and essential components of prayers, which brings forgiveness.


From the cross we learn Jesus's model of forgiveness which was prayer. Prayer is essential for forgiveness. Prayer is the way to forgive. Prayer gives the strength to forgive. Daily prayer, constant meditation during a busy schedule, living in the presence of God, and living with Jesus in mind may help us to get the prayerful life. Mother church has infinite treasures of prayers, from which we can learn and use them in our daily life. Virtue of piety and prayers are very much needed to love, live, and forgive. 

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