To Forgive Other People

June 17, 2021
Thursday for di Eleventh Week for Ordinary Time
Readings for Today

Listen for English

“If una forgive other people di wrong wey dem do, una Father for heaven go forgive una. But if una no forgive other people, una Father too no go forgive di wrong wey una do.” Matthew 6:14–15

Di way our Lord dey urge us again and again to forgive really dey amaze person. Plenty part of Jesus’ Sermon on di Mount, wey we don dey read throughout this week, dey continually call us to show other people mercy and forgive dem. And for di passage above, wey come from di end of today Gospel, Jesus tell us wetin go happen if we no listen to wetin E dey urge us to do.

This passage be like extra word wey dem add to di “Our Father” prayer wey come just before am. Di Our Father prayer get seven requests, and one of dem na “forgive us di wrong wey we do, as we dey forgive people wey do us wrong.” E worth to notice say, as soon as Jesus teach us this prayer with di seven requests, E stress one of di requests again by repeating am, as we see for di passage wey dem quote above. This extra emphasis suppose make us sure say this request na serious matter.

At first, Jesus simply tell us to pray for forgiveness “as we dey forgive.” But after that, E make am clear say if we fail to do so, we too no go receive forgiveness. This suppose really move us to do everything we fit do to forgive other people completely, from di deepest part of our hearts.

Who you need to forgive? Sometimes, to forgive person fit be something wey dey confuse us. Forgiveness dey confuse us when wetin we dey feel no match di decision wey we willingly make. E dey happen often say, even when we don decide for inside our heart to forgive another person, we still dey feel anger towards dem. But these feelings wey no dey in order no suppose stop us, and we no suppose allow dem make us doubt wetin we need to do. First of all, forgiveness na something wey we choose with our will. Na decision wey we make with prayer, to tell another person say we no dey hold their sin against dem. Forgiveness no mean say we dey pretend say dem no commit any sin. Instead, if dem no commit any sin, forgiveness no go dey necessary. So, di very act of forgiving person still mean say we acknowledge di sin wey need forgiveness.

When you choose to forgive another person, and your feelings no follow di decision immediately, continue to forgive dem for your heart. Pray for dem. Try to change di way you dey think about dem. No continue to dwell on di pain wey dem cause you. Instead, think about their dignity as person, di love wey God get for dem, and di love wey you must continue to grow for dem. Forgive, forgive, and forgive again. No ever stop, and no ever tire to do this act of mercy. If you do this, you fit even discover say, as time dey go, your feelings and strong emotions go begin match di decision wey you don make.

Today, reflect on any anger wey still remain for your heart. Face those feelings by freely choosing, with all your heart, to forgive di person wey you dey vex with. Do am now, later today, tomorrow, and continue like that. Fight against anger and bitterness by using your own act of forgiveness to overcome dem, and you go see say God go begin free you from di heavy load wey lack of forgiveness dey put on person.

My Lord wey dey forgive, You offer me forgiveness wey perfect, and You call me to do di same for other people. I pray make You forgive me for my life. I dey sorry for my sin, and I dey beg for Your mercy. In return for this holy gift, I promise You today say I go forgive everybody wey don sin against me. I especially forgive those wey I still dey vex with. Free me from this anger, dear Lord, so that I go fit receive all di blessings wey Your mercy dey bring for my life. Jesus, na You I trust.