Forgiveness and providence are intimately tied. Forgiveness is a fundamental condition! It urges to make this experience and to give God the chance to open the valves of our heart and “Let Loose” forgiveness. All of us pass through painful situations that scar us much, therefore, make us bitter. They are situations that involve persons, institutions, events…They can be such that we may even be bitter with the Lord!

See well: This “remaining bitter with God” is like a clot inside our veins of our heart: it impedes the flow of blood. In the same way, lack of forgiveness impedes the grace of God.

For many of us, it is difficult to forgive because this implies touching the wounds and painful situations. Implies opening the heart and entering into the “trash” of our life. It would be easier to not touch any of this. But imagine keeping a barrel filled with trash for a month inside of your house! Nothing would smell worse.

This is what happens to us, and we become difficult persons, perhaps more difficult in our house. Do you know what is the cause of this? Bitterness and resentments: the lack of forgiveness that we carry with us.

Therefore, God wants to liberate us. He wants to “aerate the house.” To cast the trash outside means to put it at the feet of the cross of Jesus, in order that it may be burned The place of this trash is not our in our heart, it is at the feet of the cross in Our Lord Jesus Christ. Not in our heart, it is the heart of Jesus.

This invitation to forgiveness is not an imposition. You could say: “Beyond all that I already experienced, still I am obliged to forgive?!” No God wants to give you the grace to take from your heart all that is spoiled.

Remember this: God is love! We are His image and likeness. Therefore, inside of us the only things that can remain are love and all that helps us to love more. That which is contrary to love is toxic, poisonous.

We are made for love!

God bless you!

Monsignor Jonas Abib
Founder of the Canção Nova Community
translated from Portuguese