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

YOUCAT Question n. 524 - Part III. 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 2841) This petition is so important that it is the only one to which the Lord returns and which he develops explicitly in the Sermon on the Mount (Cf. Mt 6:14-15; 5:23-24; Mk 11:25). This crucial requirement of the covenant mystery is impossible for man. But "with God all things are possible" (Mt 19:26).

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 2842) This "as" is not unique in Jesus' teaching: "You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect"; "Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful"; "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another" (Mt 5:48; Lk 6:36; Jn 13:34). It is impossible to keep the Lord's commandment by imitating the divine model from outside; there has to be a vital participation, coming from the depths of the heart, in the holiness and the mercy and the love of our God. Only the Spirit by whom we live can make "ours" the same mind that was in Christ Jesus (Cf. Gal 5:25; Phil 2:1,5). Then the unity of forgiveness becomes possible and we find ourselves "forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave" us (Eph 4:32).

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