September 13, 2026.
“Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven”. (Mathew 18, 21-22)
This week the “word of life” speaks clearly on forgiving and puts, in the mouth of Christ himself, a step which is an invitation to fight to achieve the infinite: “forgive up to seventy times seven”, which is to say always forgive. Forgiveness, as such, becomes established as a practice typical of Christian charity, as something essential to Christianity. Later, when we see Christ on the Cross forgiving his enemies, we will understand to what point we must carry this out.
The doubt is in whether pardon is equivalent to forgetting or if forgiving implies not protecting oneself from future occasions of one who has hurt you and you know that there is a good chance that they will do it again. I believe that forgiveness is not at odds with common sense and, at times, certain attitudes are more antagonistic to the message of Christ because what they ask is practically impossible to carry out. However, one can’t forget what forgiveness means, in a way, forget and risk being hurt again. But to forgive does not imply to ignore the fact that you have been hurt, but to give another chance every time he shows real interest in favourably using it. It means help him, although he doesn’t deserve it. Not taking vengeance, although you have the opportunity to do so.
It also means help yourself, since the treatment you use will be used on you. Beginning with God and continuing with your fellow man that you have hurt.
Intention: Analyze who are your “enemies”: those to whom you have aversion or who have hurt you. Begin to forgive them by praying for them and, if you can, help them.