I see the readings for today to be talking about the equality of all peoples and that we should treat all peoples equally, whether Gentile or Jew, rich or poor. I would say sinners, but what’s the opposite of a sinner? I would say Saints, but saints are sinners as well. The only thing opposite of a sinner then would be divine. So we all are sinners, which brings us together because it’s something we all have in common. In the gospel, the prayer Jesus gives to us I find to be more than just a prayer; it also seems to be a guideline. Jesus tells us that we should forgive people, and only in forgiving will we be forgiven. I don’t think Jesus is talking about only our friends, or only those people who are, referring to his time, Jewish, or only the rich and noble. No, He’s talking about all people, everyone.

What is it about forgiveness that makes it so hard to do? Is it accepting our own faults in order that we may forgive ourselves? Or is it that we don’t want to hurt the other person by admitting to them that they’ve done something wrong? Is it more that we don’t want to come off as condescending and hypocritical? Or is it a little bit of all of this? Or maybe it’s easy for you to forgive? For me, it’s a combination of all of these things.

One of the hardest things for me to overcome is thinking that I’ll come off as hypocritical. Because who am I to tell you that you’re in the wrong? That is what you do when you forgive someone, you point out a wrong he has committed against you. Another thing about forgiving I find to be difficult is that people always say to forgive and forget, but I don’t think we should forget when we forgive, but instead embrace what has happened and grow out of the situation.