Jesus said become merciful as your father in heaven is merciful. Then Jesus followed by saying, love our enemies.  One of the most significant tests of compassion is to forgive and love your enemies. The enemies that we are told to love are not so much those who live in dangerous places, who may be a threat to our safety and security. They are those who turn against you, feel hatred toward you, cheated you in business, or gossip against you. We see them every day, at home, work, or church.  That’s where many of our enemies are found.

Forgiveness is a conscious choice. It allows you to release others from their sins and burdens against you. By being merciful, we bring our enemies back to God. Typically, we don’t want our enemies back to God. We want them to suffer. Some would wish that their enemies would have COVID infection. Others hope their enemies will be bankrupt from their businesses.

To forgive is a decision, not an emotion.  It is difficult to ignore your feelings because you still recall what the other person had done to you. The pain is still fresh in your heart.  And sometimes, even though you already extended forgiveness, the pain will not automatically go away.  But please know you are not responsible for the feeling; you are only responsible for the act of forgiving.

You can forgive without the restoration of the earlier relationship. When you were best friends before, it does not mean you will return to being best friends again.  If you were a husband and wife before, it does not mean you become a couple again because you forgave. When Adam and Eve disobeyed the Lord, the Lord forgave them, but they continued in a new relationship. God did not bring them back to the garden where they once lived. But God worked with them in a new relationship.  Through Jesus Christ, God established a new covenant with humankind.

Aside from the spiritual benefits of a forgiving heart, forgiveness also has physical benefits that are good for our health. Forgiveness lowers blood pressure, stabilizes our metabolism, and regulates blood sugar. It promotes a restful night’s sleep and makes you look younger!!! You see, many of you will start forgiving your enemies after this mass.

To forgive is one of the most challenging tests in life. If we forgive, it means we passed the test. You know what it means to pass a test.  We get promotion. Jesus will elevate you to a higher level. He will entrust you with His many blessings because you passed the test. Your grace will be overflowing. Remember how Joseph the Dreamer forgave his brothers. He even extended forgiveness even if they were not sorry for what they had done to him. The Lord has entrusted Joseph with an abundant harvest because God knows he has a forgiving heart. God made Joseph a channel of His blessings for His children, good and bad alike.

May we become a channel of God’s blessings by having a merciful and forgiving heart.