We have a saying, “To err is human, to forgive divine.” Sin can only be forgiven through the Church by the power of the Spirit, but we do have the human power to forgive one another the trespasses we have between each other, and in so doing, we imitate God, who has created all for unity and forgiveness, and who commanded us to pray, “forgive us our trespasses and we forgive those who trespass against us,” and Jesus adds, “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” (Matthew 6:14-15) We can believe in God only if we are willing to forgive and to be forgiven. This alone is of God.

Meditation by Archpriest David Petras