The readings today speak of forgiveness. The way Christians are called to forgive is radically different from other religions. For Muslims it is an honourable virtue to exercise forgiveness. Jews, too, believe in a God who forgives and calls them to likewise forgive the wrongs done to them. But both Jews and Muslims live by a code of conduct which accepts returning an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Christians cannot accept such a scheme of retribution, not if we are truly disciples of Christ. We belong to a different community with a different set of practices.

Some Christians say what is required for salvation is that a person accepts the Lord Jesus as their personal saviour. As Catholics we say that is not enough. As Catholics, we believe that we as a community are saved. It is through the Church, the body of Christ, and being an active part of it, that we are connected to God and through the Church we experience our salvation.

It is not enough simply to have a private relationship with the Lord. That relationship must spill over, be lived out in our world, with other human beings. As followers of Jesus, we are called to offer that same kind of forgiveness, that same kind of love, which Jesus offered. We don't hate because we are hated or love because we are loved. Rather we are called to love first as Jesus did and offer it again regardless of the response to our offer.