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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Forgive the brother that has offended you	John	Thursday, August 25, 2011
Question: Bro. Ignatius, I know that as a Roman Catholic, I must forgive those who offend me, turn the other cheek so to speak, and I do forgive them, even without their asking for forgiveness, but, when the abuse continues, is it wrong, or is it a sin, to ostracize yourself from them? I guess what I have trouble understanding the most, is that, as Roman Catholic's, we are taught that when we sin, whether it is a venial or mortal sin, we must confess our sin and ask for God’s forgiveness. We are also taught that if we do not ask for God’s forgiveness, we are forgiven. Yet, we are told that whether the offender asks for our forgiveness or not, we must forgive him. Christ declared, “There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine virtuous men who have no need of repentance” (Luke 15:7). Bro. Ignatius, if you could explain this I would greatly appreciate it. God bless, John
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r) Dear John: Most people misunderstand forgiveness. One can forgive and not like the person. One can forgive and avoid the person, even cross the street to avoid him. Certainly a woman who is raped must forgive her attacker, but no one would expect her to invite him to dinner. Jesus said that if we do not forgive, he will not forgive us. We are to forgive. Forgiveness, however, has little to do with the abuser. It is true that our unforgiveness places a spiritual bondage upon the abuser, but we are not suppose to get revenge. Rather, forgiveness is really about not taking revenge of any sort, letting go of the hurt, and letting God take care of the abuser. Until we let go, we cannot heal. This is the subject of an entire step in our Deliverance Counseling. We have a pamphlet that explains the true nature of forgiveness: Dealing with Bitterness and Unforgiveness God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Forgive the brother that has offended you

John

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Question:

Bro. Ignatius,

I know that as a Roman Catholic, I must forgive those who offend me, turn the other cheek so to speak, and I do forgive them, even without their asking for forgiveness, but, when the abuse continues, is it wrong, or is it a sin, to ostracize yourself from them?

I guess what I have trouble understanding the most, is that, as Roman Catholic's, we are taught that when we sin, whether it is a venial or mortal sin, we must confess our sin and ask for God’s forgiveness. We are also taught that if we do not ask for God’s forgiveness, we are forgiven. Yet, we are told that whether the offender asks for our forgiveness or not, we must forgive him.

Christ declared, “There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine virtuous men who have no need of repentance” (Luke 15:7).

Bro. Ignatius, if you could explain this I would greatly appreciate it.

God bless,

John

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r)

Dear John:

Most people misunderstand forgiveness. One can forgive and not like the person. One can forgive and avoid the person, even cross the street to avoid him. Certainly a woman who is raped must forgive her attacker, but no one would expect her to invite him to dinner.

Jesus said that if we do not forgive, he will not forgive us. We are to forgive. Forgiveness, however, has little to do with the abuser. It is true that our unforgiveness places a spiritual bondage upon the abuser, but we are not suppose to get revenge. Rather, forgiveness is really about not taking revenge of any sort, letting go of the hurt, and letting God take care of the abuser. Until we let go, we cannot heal.

This is the subject of an entire step in our Deliverance Counseling. We have a pamphlet that explains the true nature of forgiveness:

Dealing with Bitterness and Unforgiveness

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum