A word that turns history upside down
On the cross, when the pain is at its worst, Jesus utters these unheard-of words: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23, 34). It's not just a cry to heaven, it's a radical upheaval in human history. At a time when all seems lost, when violence reaches its peak, Jesus responds with forgiveness.
He does not allow himself to be crushed by hatred. He chooses to love to the end. His forgiveness is not conditional on the prior conversion of his tormentors. It is offered freely, out of pure mercy. This word reveals to us the face of a God who does not keep the memory of evil, but who always opens the door to reconciliation.
A forgiveness that transcends human logic
Humanly speaking, forgiving one's persecutors is unimaginable. Yet Jesus, in his total surrender, shows us that forgiveness is not weakness but strength. Forgiveness does not mean denying injustice or erasing pain, but refusing to let hatred have the last word.
By saying "Father, forgive them", Jesus teaches us that forgiveness is not simply a difficult human act, but a grace to be welcomed. He shows us the way to break the chains of resentment and spite. It is a demanding but liberating path that makes us participants in the victory of love over evil.
An invitation to follow Christ
Jesus' words on the Cross are not just a testimony to his love, they are also a personal invitation. Jesus asks us in turn to live in this spirit of forgiveness. "Love your enemies", he said in the Gospel. On the Cross, he put this demand for love into practice to the extreme.
To forgive is to put ourselves in the school of Christ. It takes time, prayer, sometimes falls and pick-ups. But every step towards forgiveness is a step towards inner freedom. It means refusing to be a prisoner of the wrong received and choosing to let God heal our deepest wounds.
Forgiveness that heals hearts
Forgiveness does not erase the memory of the wrong, but it heals the wounded heart. It transforms suffering into an offering, a bridge to peace. Jesus, in forgiving his executioners, opens the way to universal reconciliation.
In our lives, there are sometimes old wounds, deep betrayals, words or deeds that have marked us with a red-hot iron. Meditating on the words of Jesus on the Cross helps us to lay these burdens in the hands of the Father. This path is not always immediate, but it leads to true liberation.
Learn to pray for our enemies
Jesus not only forgave in silence, he prayed for those who made him suffer. This teaches us a valuable attitude: to pray for those who have hurt us. This prayer does not justify their actions, but it opens our hearts to compassion and grace.
By praying for our enemies, we enter into the mystery of God's heart. We stop looking only at our own pain to desire the salvation and transformation of the other. This is how forgiveness becomes a path to holiness.
Lord Jesus,
On the Cross, you forgave those who condemned you, you prayed for them with infinite tenderness. Teach us to follow your example. Give us the strength to forgive where the wound is still raw, where our hearts hesitate to open.
Free us from the chains of resentment and the desire for revenge. Fill our hearts with your love so vast, so merciful. Make us peacemakers in our families, our communities and wherever division still reigns.
Lord, may your forgiveness on the Cross purify and transform us, so that we may be authentic witnesses of your mercy in the world.
Amen.
