Referring to Sirach 27:30—28:7, Fr. Jonas talks about forgiveness at the 4 p.m. Mass at the St. Francis Chapel in the Prudential Center in Boston on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026.

Text of the homily

Forgiveness seems an impossible task. Social media reveal brooding resentment, barbs and grudges all too easy to lash out. All of us have at least one person labeled unforgivable.

Yet unforgiveness is the quickest way to block grace in our lives. For example, Sirach offers the most condemning words in today’s first reading: “Could anyone nourish anger against another and expect healing from the LORD?” [Expand idea: Unforgiveness means self-condemnation.]

From the Eucharist, at Calvary and in the Resurrection, Jesus loves us and calls us to forgive one another.

What does forgiveness really entail?

Fr. Carlos Martin from the Pilgrimage of Mercy offers a wonderful summary on what forgiveness is not:

• Not a feeling.
• Does not condone the offense.
• Does not mean “forgive and forget.”
• Does not mean reconciliation.
• Does not require an apology first.

Forgiveness like love is an act of the will, a choice. We can choose to forgive someone at any moment, just as we choose to love someone at any time. Both actions are independent of emotions.

        If forgiveness is just a choice, why is it so difficult? Two reasons: pain unhealed and debt owed.

        First, the offense left us hurting. That pain creates a wall against forgiveness. Our heart says, “I can’t forgive because it hurts too much.”

        Second, the offense has taken something from us. There is a debt that the offender owes to us. However, Jesus teaches us in today’s parable that nobody can repay the debts against God and one another.

        Thus, the first step toward healing and forgiveness is to acknowledge the wrong, the pain and the debt incurred. In prayer, allow the Holy Spirit to help us name the debt the offender owes us and to renounce the painful judgments we inflict against ourselves and the offenders.

        Second step: With debt identified, Jesus wants us to complete the most wonderful spiritual exchange with Him, especially in the Mass. At the offertory, we give him our hurts and pains and the debt the offender owes us. That pain, that hurt and that debt become Jesus’ on the Cross. In return, in Holy Communion, Jesus gives us his love, healing and mercy. We receive the capability to forgive.

        At any moment, we can say, “Jesus, I forgive this person with your supernatural grace.” We often must repeat this process of naming, surrendering and forgiving.

        As in the doxology, we can forgive with Jesus, in Him and through Him.