With sincere prayer, forgiveness becomes contagious. To forgive someone who has done wrong to us, is to let go of the conscious or unconscious label of 'victim' one puts upon oneself. It is hard to forgive because the label of victimhood has become part and parcel of one's identity, but not impossible.

Jesus, Who taught us to pray "forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us," in our eyes, is a victim. Yet, as He hung on the cross, He did not see Himself as a victim, He felt sorry for the people. He said, "forgive them Lord for they do not know what they are doing." Jesus' prayer utters mercy and entered even deeper into the confused minds of the people.

To forgive is to face the perpetrator/s with courage, to admit that we too are broken, and seeing ourselves in the other and simply choosing to love. Without binding oneself with the negative consequences of the perpetrator's actions is to be free like Jesus.

Knowing that we are forgiven, we will innately want to forgive others because we know what freedom from victimhood feels like. In what areas of my life do I see myself as a victim? Am I ready to forgive and free myself from victimhood? I ask Jesus for all the graces that I need to forgive.