God desires to bless us. The Lord does not punish us for the sins of past generations. In fact, God invites us to be free even from the sins of our own lives. We are invited to change, to let go of what separates us from God and to accept God's forgiveness and life.

Jesus asks us to imitate this model of forgiveness in our relationships with others. Today's Gospel encourages us to forgive those who have hurt us and to be reconciled with those who hold something against us.

This does not mean that we must deny the harm we have caused or ignore the hurt we have received. At the same time, reconciliation seeks to overcome hostility and separation. Forgiveness says it's time to shift the focus from harm to healing.

God generously offers us forgiveness. Today Christ asks us to have the courage to freely give of what we have been freely given.