I reflected in my last column on how the risen life of the Lord Jesus abides within us through the gift of faith, the sacraments, and prayer.

Salvation is not just about the next life, but how God wants us, even here and now, to know the abundance of His abiding grace within us.

This new life springing up within is the hope of Easter.

We can only come to realize this astonishing truth through a steady practice of discipleship and fidelity.  

As I ponder my own experience as well as that of thousands of people who have crossed my path throughout my years of priestly ministry, I think the biggest obstacle to living that rich inner life of the Lord’s presence and love is the inability to forgive.

All of us have wounds from the past or the present — painful memories of trauma, moments of betrayal, the dissolution of relationships, searing losses and their consequent grief, and the ordinary resentments and hurts that can cling to our hearts like the barnacles on the bottom of a well-traveled ship.

Hurt, pain, and resentment can fog our vision, corrode our relationships, and even block divine grace.

We can even feel that God has let us down. If God is all-loving, we may ask, how could He let this bad thing happen to me or my loved ones?

The difference between those who find hope, healing, and even joy in this life and those who never seem to get there is the question of how we navigate, move through, and ultimately forgive the people in those situations where we have been hurt, offended, or let down.

This process of reconciliation can be a long and difficult path, but it’s well worth embracing if we seek health, wholeness, and holiness

Unresolved anger and resentment often churn into a cloudy sense of depression and sadness, which never seems to dissipate.

Even when it’s most difficult

When I really struggle to forgive someone, I pray for the grace to want to forgive them. Lord, at least grant me the desire to move in that direction!

When I am faithful to that prayer and desire, God gradually gives me the ability to forgive and let go of the hurt and anger. The liberation that consequently comes reminds me that when I choose to forgive another, the first person set free is me.  

Chances are, the person we are angry with is not sitting up at night, worrying about us or how we are feeling.

When I forgive, I let myself off the hook, as well as the other person.

Forgive as He does

Both in Holy Week and the Easter season, we encounter the remarkable mercy and forgiveness of the Lord.

The Son of God suffers betrayal, violence, accusation, spitting, imprisonment, mockery, and crucifixion, and through it all, He loves, forgives, forbears, and excuses His killers.

This level of love is beyond our comprehension; this depth of forgiveness is beyond our ability.

Christ came to earth to heal, forgive, save, and bless, to reconcile us to God and to one another.

We are called to do the same.  

When we meditate on the wonder of the Lord’s reconciling mercy, won for us in His death and Resurrection, we realize that if we ourselves fail to forgive and reconcile with others, we have missed the entire point of the Gospel.  

I know people who celebrate and receive the Eucharist regularly, pray the Our Father daily, hear the Passion proclaimed twice during Holy Week, and yet nurse grudges, resentments, and anger towards others.

Sometimes, that person is me.

Easter invites us to let go of all the burdens that weigh us down, to forgive others, even and maybe especially when they don’t apologize, to surrender all resentment and anger, to be free, forgiven, and forgiving.

If you are struggling to forgive and surrender, keep praying about it.

Go to Confession. Talk to a good friend about your struggle. Ask the Lord for the desire to forgive. Hold a crucifix and think about the Lord’s mercy and patience towards you.

Pray for the person you are angry with. Read one of the Passion narratives. Invite the Holy Spirit into your mind.

Jesus wants to live His amazing, resurrected life in your soul!

Open the doors and windows of your heart, so that He can come in.

He wants you to be free and joyful. This life is so short. Don’t waste a minute of it on fruitless resentment and anger that go nowhere.  

The risen Christ bids us to rise and walk with Him towards the blinding, healing, and merciful light which will never end.