Imagine you are that brother or sister who has sinned against someone in the family or the Church seven times a day. You apologise every time that you realise that you have been wrong. Every time you apologise, unconditional pardon is given you. How do you feel?

We are that person who has repeatedly sinned against our brothers and sisters. We are repeatedly pardoned by God. Now God, through Jesus, is asking us to forgive others, as He has forgiven us.

To forgive is to set an example of love in the community. Good examples affect others positively and bond the community, just as bad examples affect others negatively and divide the community. Jesus admits that things which cause sin will inevitably occur. Sin affects others as well as oneself. Not only should we take care not to sin, but more importantly, we should never lead our brothers and sisters into sinning. Furthermore, Jesus teaches us to be pro-active and set examples of love, by forgiving.

Would I appear to be a fool in forgiving serial sinners? Absolutely! But this is the Pascal way.