By Maria Bohan
"Forgiveness offers the possibility of two types of peace: peace of mind --
the potential healing of old emotional wounds, and peace with others --
the possibility of new, more gratifying relationships in the future."
-Kenneth Pargament, co-founder of Global Forgiveness Day
When someone who has wronged us comes to ask for our forgiveness, we are often told to “be the bigger person,” as if accepting an apology will make us better than the person who asked for it.
This perspective is slightly misleading—forgiveness is not about a power struggle; it’s about spreading God’s love to every person, no matter what they’ve done.
On July 7th, Global Forgiveness Day, take a minute to remember the great things that forgiveness offers us with these seven pieces of scripture.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in God forgave you. -Ephesians 4:31-32
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says God. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” -Isaiah 1:18
Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of one's inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. -Micah 7:18-19
And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your God also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. -Mark 11:25
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” -Acts 2:38
Then Peter came up and said to him, “God, how often will my brother or sister sin against me, and I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.” -Matthew 18: 21-22
Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven. -Luke 6:37
Maria Bohan is a Volunteer for the Communications and Development Office at the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, New York. She is a student at Bryn Mawr College majoring in English and a graduate of Pearl River High School.
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