In order to receive absolution (forgiveness) in the sacrament of reconciliation, all we need to do is to confess our sins and make an act of contrition during which we say that we are sorry for whatever wrong we have done, and that we will do all we can to avoid occasions of sin in the future. After that, the priest would absolve us from the sins. However, it seems to me that for Jesus, that’s not enough. He tells us in the gospel reading for today that we need to do something else to be forgiven for our sins -- we must forgive others first. “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” So, if you keep any anger or hatred in your heart, if you are holding any grudges toward another person, first you need to forgive them and then beg God to forgive you your sins. I know, it is not easy to forgive, especially those who have hurt us badly. But this is Jesus’ teaching, and His teaching is never easy. We need to constantly keep asking God to help us to forgive -- “and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
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