The Old Testament lesson is one example. Joseph is asked by his brothers to forgive them. You remember that because Joseph was their father s favorite, Joseph s brothers had sold him into slavery in Egypt, telling their father that he was killed by some animals. Now there is a great famine and Joseph has risen to become the number two ruler of Egypt, who can dole out the stored grain as he pleases. The brothers beg for forgiveness, knowing that their life depends on it.
Some situations are more difficult.
Jesus commands are never easy. If Jesus is the example, he prayed for the forgiveness of those who had tortured him and were putting him cruelly to death on the cross. Stephen followed Jesus example in praying that those who were stoning him to death should be forgiven. The call of Jesus is to love our enemies as well as our friends. And all the research tells us that only those who find a way to forgive these atrocities will ever be free from the power of the evil done to them or those they love.