DAILY HOMILIES #let go

The easiest way to forgive is to assume the past never existed. God does not deal with us according to our past; rather, he relates with us according to our present (future potential).

Free your heart and move on. What you have now is far better than what you think you lost. Try to see the brighter side. Trust that God has always and will always be there for you. Even in your darkest moments, God is still there for you. He did it for Joseph. He will do it for you.

Has the past been painful? Then why are you still holding on to it? According to Elkhart Tolle, this is the insanity of humankind. We easily forget the good people do for us but we never forget the hurts people inflict on us. We hold on to our pain like children refusing to let go of some debris they picked up from the dustbin.

Has the past been painful? Then why are you still holding on to it?

Compared to what we owe God, that which others owe us is nothing! Think of the worst thing anyone has done to you for whom you strongly believe he or she does not deserve to be forgiven. Does it occur to you that God has already forgiven you for a greater offence than that?

After twenty-seven solid years behind bars, Nelson Mandela said: “When I was about to walk off the prison into a life of freedom, I knew that if I refuse to forgive those who hurt me, I would still be in chains.” Forgive, do not get caught up in the middle of the sea.

Jesus began today’s Gospel passage by saying “unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Forgiving others is one way of practising righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees. No wonder they say, “to forgive is divine.” Those who truly forgive are living saints.