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There’s an old adage: “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there.” In today’s gospel, Jesus gives Peter (and us) clear directions and terms that he requires of us…we must forgive with our hearts.
When we have been hurt deeply, forgiveness can be daunting. Acknowledging all the emotions that come from being wounded often makes forgiveness humanly unbearable. When we realize we lack the strength to do what God is asking, we turn to Jesus. Step eight of the Twelve-Step program is, “Make a list of all persons we have harmed and become willing to make amends.” There is an abundance of evidence that this approach really works. Hundreds of thousands of alcoholics have recovered from a hopeless state of mind and body and found freedom from resentments by doing this step. It has a healing effect and can lead us from the seat of judgment to the throne of mercy.
Our struggle to forgive is in our human nature. Surrender leads us to the abundant transforming grace that God offers us through the Holy Spirit.