Forgiveness: the world will laugh at this word because, unfortunately, there is a mentality to pay evil by evil, even by some people who are supposed to give us a good example. In doing so, there will be no peace in the heart of those who pay evil by evil and, instead, take revenge.

Nelsen Mandela, the late leader of South Africa, followed the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi who used to say that forgiveness is for the strong not for the weak, that one needs courage to forgive but it is the only way to have peace in your heart, unless you want to remain always wounded and a victim. Mandela spent 27 years in prison but he forgave those who unfairly threw him in jail. He said: “As I walked out of the door of prison, toward my freedom, I knew that if I did not leave all the anger, hatred and bitterness behind me, I would still be in prison.”

A Chinese proverb says ‘The man who pursues revenge should dig two graves, one for the enemy and one for himself.”

St Ġorġ Preca used to say that is very hard to live in forgiveness but with the help of God in prayer everything is possible.

St Paul writes: “Don’t let evil overcome you but overcome evil by good.” In doing so you please God and you will have peace and satisfaction in your heart.

Jesus was very severe about forgiveness. He said: “If you don’t forgive others neither my father in heaven will forgive your sins.”

May we, through the help of God, be people of forgiveness so there may be true peace in our hearts, in our families and in our nation.

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