Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 524 – Part II.

YOUCAT Question n. 524 - Part II. What does it mean to say, “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us”?

(Youcat answer repeated) Merciful forgiveness—the mercy that we show to others and the mercy that we ourselves seek —is indivisible. If we ourselves are not merciful and do not forgive one another, God’s mercy will not reach our hearts.

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 2839) With bold confidence, we began praying to our Father. In begging him that his name be hallowed, we were in fact asking him that we ourselves might be always made more holy. But though we are clothed with the baptismal garment, we do not cease to sin, to turn away from God. Now, in this new petition, we return to him like the prodigal son and, like the tax collector, recognize that we are sinners before him (Cf. Lk 15:11-32, 18:13). Our petition begins with a "confession" of our wretchedness and his mercy. Our hope is firm because, in his Son, "we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Col 1:14; Eph 1:7). We find the efficacious and undoubted sign of his forgiveness in the sacraments of his Church (Cf. Mt 26:28; Jn 20:23). 

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) Many people have a lifelong struggle with their inability to forgive. The deep blockade of being unreconciled is resolved only by looking to God, who adopted us “while we were yet sinners” (Rom 5:8). Because we have a kind Father, forgiveness and reconciliation in life are possible.

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 2840) Now - and this is daunting - this outpouring of mercy cannot penetrate our hearts as long as we have not forgiven those who have trespassed against us. Love, like the Body of Christ, is indivisible; we cannot love the God we cannot see if we do not love the brother or sister we do see (Cf. l Jn 4:20). In refusing to forgive our brothers and sisters, our hearts are closed and their hardness makes them impervious to the Father's merciful love; but in confessing our sins, our hearts are opened to his grace.

 
(This question: What does it mean to say, “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us”? is continued)