There are times when we hear others or even ourselves proclaim that forgiveness of another human being for a serious offense will never be offered. It is painful to witness such a moment or to hear another person feel such bitterness toward another. Yet, isn't it also a genuine human emotion to support the unforgiving person?
Perhaps this is what we read in the gospel today, Luke 17:1-6. Jesus is teaching the disciples that we must forgive others who have offended us. So serious is the need to be forgiving that Jesus teaches that even if the offending party acts seven times in one day against someone, forgiveness is to be proffered.
When the Apostles heard these words of Jesus, they, too, must have understood how difficult it is to forgive under certain circumstances. Why else would they say to Jesus, "Increase our faith"? Granting forgiveness demands a strong faith, there is no doubt about that. The more serious the offense, the more difficult offering forgiveness.
And isn't the response of so many to someone who does forgive a serious offense, "That surely is a person of deep faith!" This is the challenge of Jesus teaching to his disciples as well as to each one of us.
