We Are Called to Forgive

Sept. 13, 2026
The most destructive emotion that any of us carry is that of anger, unforgiveness, or resentment. Jesus warns us about it over and over. He tells us that holding on to anger is the one thing that will block us from God’s forgiveness and mercy. These emotions not only lead to wars, forms of abuse and violence, but also are destructive of the health of the person holding on to them. They are at the root of cancers, heart disease and other ailments. And most seriously, because they block God’s forgiveness, they are the sins that are most likely to send us to hell.
   
For these reasons, we need to do all that we can to get rid of these emotions. They are cancers destroying our bodies, our minds and our souls. So, what do we do?
   
Forgiveness is not a declaration that we have not been wronged, wounded or injured by someone. If we have, we acknowledge that. We ask ourselves, what has this person done that injured us? What harm did their actions or decisions or words cause? Be specific. Did they hurt us physically? Did they wound our ego or our feelings? Was it our reputation? What did they do, and how did they impact us?

How have we injured them? Did we do or say anything to cause the situation or to aggravate it? What was our part in the problem? Did they wound us intentionally, or do they even know the hurt they have caused? If we want them to forgive us, we have to be willing to forgive them.
   
Pray for them. Tell God that you are trying to let go of any resentment and bitterness, or revenge against that person. Ask Him to forgive their faults and ask Him for the graces that you need in order to forgive. Pray that He will bless them with the same happiness, joy and peace that you want in your own life.
   
Often, it requires repeated prayers of forgiveness. Even when we think we have let go of all resentment, we find it rising up in us again and again. At that point, we just pray again, asking God to set us free and to bless them. If we are faithful, God will take our resentments from us.

The goal is to work through all of our resentments and be completely free. We will also find that if we forgive others, it will be easier to forgive ourselves for our own sins.
—Fr. Mike Comer