Forgiveness<br/><br/>

Recently I have watched a television program which interviewed a doctor from MSF (MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERS) who just returned from Libya. The interviewee is a surgeon working at the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong. He used his own holidays to provide service in Libya for a month. When the reporter asked him what impressed him most during his time working there, he pointed out that it did not matter if the wounded were from the government force or the rebellion group, they will receive the same kind of treatment, even though the facilities set up are under the control of the government forces.<br/><br/>

Medical treatment has no national boundaries. The relationship between people also should not have the feeling of hostility.<br/><br/>

Very often we do not get along with one another. Otherwise, Peter would not have asked Jesus how many times we must forgive others. Is Seven times enough?
Jesus answered “No, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Jesus did not just preach but put his words into action.<br/><br/>

Do we still recall that when Peter was in the High Priest’s Courtyard, he denied that he was a disciple of Jesus. After the resurrection, at Lake Galilee Jesus asked Peter in a tone full of love and affection, “Do you love me?” Jesus felt content when he heard Peter’s response, “Lord, you know that I love you.<br/><br/>

Forgiveness is about how much we care. If it is difficult to voice out our apology, at the very least we can extend out our hand of friendship.<br/><br/>

I have been working together with Fr. Formenti for three years. One time, due to some misunderstanding, we did not talk to each other during dinner time. The next morning, I walked to his office and extended out my hand of friendship. He immediately stretched out his hands too and gave me a big hug, He then talked to me, “You are a good priest!” Since that day, we became good friends.<br/><br/>

Ten years ago, I was sent to work at Toronto. Due to some disagreement between the Parish Priest and members of the parish committee, as a newly arrived member, I became their target of torment. After six months of harassment, I took over the post of the Parish Priest and hold no grudges to this day. Five years later, I specially invited the previous Parish Priest back to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of his priesthood and presided over the placement of the relics of the Chinese Martyrs to the altar.<br/><br/>

Although I say it was torture, not the slightest hint of peace was loss for me. Rather it was a blessing for I could walk with Jesus. Nowadays, the most common mistake made by the parents is when their children makes a single mistake, they will gather up all their past errors and scold them at the same time. This is not correct as the message tells: I did not forgive about their previous mistakes!<br/><br/>

Although we have not forgotten, we still should learn from Jesus’ attitude towards Peter and let bygones be bygones and not bother about them. At the end of the trial, are we not willing to be treated by Jesus in the same way?