“… as we forgive those who trespass against us” (Mt 6:12).
We know very well how important it is to our Father that, having experienced His mercy again and again, we too should be merciful to others. In fact, one of the worst attitudes is when people do not want to forgive. They close their hearts and, with their accusation, continue to exercise a certain power over those who, in their opinion, have done unforgivable things.
Certainly, for there to be true reconciliation, it is necessary for the offender to acknowledge his mistake, to repent and to ask for forgiveness. But to refuse to forgive, or to forgive only partially, and to keep accusing again and again, would be a grave fault.
Think of our Lord: is He not willing to forgive us even the most serious faults if we ask Him sincerely? If not, how could we live? How could we be happy? What kind of servitude would be imposed on us? Would we want to see other people in such a state?
The petition of the Lord’s Prayer in its entirety is, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”. In other words, our willingness to forgive is immersed in God’s attitude, which serves as a model for us. In this way, He Himself shows us how to forgive, and we can always ask Him for the grace to do so. Thanks to His love, which is constantly revealed to us, we are able to extend this forgiving love to others. This can be difficult when a great injustice has been done to us. But since God also forgives great wrongs, it is possible to forgive here, too, or at least to make a sincere effort to do so.
Thus this petition of the Lord’s Prayer, which urges us to open our whole heart to forgiveness, becomes a work of mercy and a praise of our Father, for the forgiveness of sins is indispensable for entry into God’s eternal Kingdom.