Forgiveness

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Happy Easter, everyone! Easter brings a message of hope we can cling to in this time of extreme pain and upheaval in our world today. But it is a message that can only be realized if our hearts are ready to forgive as God has forgiven the sins of humanity on Good Friday.

Yet, forgiveness is far from the hearts of world leaders, even those who claim to be evangelical Christians. Just before the Holy Week, US War Secretary Pete Hegseth prayed for “overwhelming violence” against enemies during a religious service at the Pentagon.

Hegseth was sharply rebuked by Pope Leo XIV that no one can enlist God to justify “choices of death.”

“God does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war” is the direct moral rebuke from the American Pope. He quoted the prophet Isaiah (1:15), saying: “Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood.”

You don’t have to be the war secretary who can issue orders to bomb countries and kill multitudes of innocent people to have, in the words of the prophet Isaiah, hands full of blood. Nurturing a hateful heart makes you a source of pain and suffering and this positions you far away from God.

In our daily lives, we are often victims of such hate that causes us physical and mental suffering. Or we are the reason why others suffer.

Sinfulness brought Good Friday. Forgiveness, the divine variety, brought Easter Sunday.

Without forgiveness, there can be no relief from the pain we feel. That, in gist, is the practical meaning of Easter for people today.

Believing in Christ’s resurrection means your sins have been forgiven and you have been given the gift of eternal life.

St. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:17: “If Christ is not raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.”

Pastors at CCF often cite the phrase “It is finished” (John 19:30) as a declaration that the debt for human sin was paid in full when Christ suffered and died on the cross. Forgiveness is seen as a “new beginning” offered by God, wiping the slate clean of past sins.

Throughout his earthly mission, Jesus taught his disciples that forgiveness is not just about forgiveness from God, but also an obligation for us to forgive others. We need to turn around from hate and toward compassion.

The resurrection gives us a second chance. Forgiveness that comes with Christ’s resurrection helps us go beyond our sinfulness and transforms our daily behavior and relationships to honor God.

Easter should break the cycle of retaliation in our lives. By forgiving others, we turn away from the “tit-for-tat” attitude of the world. Forgiveness is what we do to make things right.

Matthew 6:14-15 states: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your father forgive your trespasses.”

Forgiveness and justice can be seen as two sides of the same coin. God still hates sin but the “debt” of justice was paid by Christ on the cross.

Easter shifts the focus from getting even to making things right. The goal of Easter is not to see the sinner destroyed, but to see the sin stopped and the relationship repaired.

Christian leaders argue that while we must forgive to heal our own hearts, the institutional need for justice – such as international law and trials – remains necessary to protect the innocent and prevent future harm. The Duterte ICC trial, for instance.

For people like the Israelis and the Palestinians, forgiveness should be seen as the “political wisdom” that allows them to stop the clock on their deadly generational enmity and build a shared future. Demanding an eye for an eye is the reason for countless wars through the ages that have caused needless suffering among people.

“I spoke with Trump and asked him to end the war,” Pope Leo XIV said, or at least that negotiations for a path to peace be reached. The Pope said a war which kills thousands of children is not “just,” regardless of the initial provocation.

“We continuously appeal for peace, but unfortunately there are many people who promote hatred and violence, war,” the Pope said.

Forgiveness provides the moral “brake” that prevents a legitimate right to self-defense from turning into a campaign of total destruction, as seen in Gaza.

Pope Leo XIV warned that the world is “faced with the possibility of a tragedy of enormous proportions.”

In words directed to the leaders of Israel, the US and Iran, he said, “I address to the parties involved a heartfelt appeal to assume the moral responsibility of halting the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss.

“We lift up our humble prayer to the Lord, so that the thunderous sound of bombs may cease, weapons may fall silent and a space for dialogue may open up in which the voice of the people can be heard,” Pope Leo said.

The Pope issued his appeal when he addressed thousands of pilgrims and tourists gathered in St. Peter’s Square at midday on Sunday, March 8.

Forgiveness is a prerequisite for peace, in the world, in our country and in our family.

Beyond the war zones, it is so sad to see so many families and friendships break up over money and power. Life is short. Every moment may be your last chance to forgive and make peace. Nothing is more important.

May the joys of Easter fill our lives for the rest of the year!

Boo Chanco’s email address is [email protected]. Follow him on X @boochanco