They are bigger than that. Forgiveness is based on recognizing and admitting that people are always bigger and more than their faults and their mistakes. Forgiveness is willing to allow a person who has offended us to start over again. I will never let that happen. I will never have anything to do with him again.
Forgiveness means letting go of that.
Forgiveness recognizes the humanity of the person who has wronged us and also recognizes our own humanity and our shortcomings and our contributions to what went wrong. Forgiveness surrenders the right to get even. In fact, we wish them the best. During this Lent, as we reflect as a parish community, on the many faces of forgiveness, may we resist the temptation to hold onto hurts. During this Lent, may we fast from anger and resentment.