Charity and Forgiveness in Catholic Teaching

Forgiveness and charity are the twin pillars of Christian life, rooted in the teachings of Scripture and the Tradition of the Church. They call us to live out the Gospel in our relationships with God and one another.

Forgiveness

• Genesis 50:17 "That we should say thus much to thee from him: I beseech thee to forget the wickedness of thy brethren, and the sin and malice they practiced against thee: we also pray thee, to forgive the servants of the God of thy father this wickedness. And when Joseph heard this, he wept."
• Exodus 34:6-7 "And when he passed before him, he said: O the Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, patient and of much compassion, and true, Who keepest mercy unto thousands: who takest away iniquity, and wickedness, and sin, and no man of himself is innocent before thee. Who renderest the iniquity of the fathers to the children, and to the grandchildren, unto the third and fourth generation. "
• Psalm 102:12-13 "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our iniquities from us. As a father hath compassion on his children, so hath the Lord compassion on them that fear him: "
• Matthew 5:23-24 "If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath any thing against thee; Leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother: and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift."
• Matthew 6:12 "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us."
• Luke 23:34 "And Jesus said: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
• Acts 7:59 "And falling on his knees, he cried with a loud voice, saying: Lord, lay not this sin to their charge."
• Ephesians 4:32 "And be ye kind one to another; merciful, forgiving one another, even as God hath forgiven you in Christ."
• Col 3:13-14 "Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if any have a complaint against another: even as the Lord hath forgiven you, so do you also. But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection."

Charity (Love)

• Deuteronomy 6:5 "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole strength."
• Leviticus 19:17-19 "Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart, but reprove him openly, lest thou incur sin through him. Seek not revenge, nor be mindful of the injury of thy citizens. Thou shalt love thy friend as thyself. I am the Lord. Keep ye my laws."
• Proverbs 10:12 "Hatred stirreth up strifes: and charity covereth all sins."
• Matthew 22:36-40 "Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law? Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets."
• John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another."
• Romans 13:8-10 "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another. For he that loveth his neighbour, hath fulfilled the law. For Thou shalt not commit adultery: Thou shalt not kill: Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness: Thou shalt not covet: and if there be any other commandment, it is comprised in this word, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The love of our neighbour worketh no evil. Love therefore is the fulfilling of the law."
• 1 Corinthians 13:13 "And now there remain faith, hope, and charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity."
• Galatians 5:21-22 "Envies, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like. Of the which I foretell you, as I have foretold to you, that they who do such things shall not obtain the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is, charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, longanimity,"

• Saint Benedict "Let peace be your aim and pray for your enemies."
• Saint Bernard of Clairvaux "True charity seeks not its own gain but the good of others."
• Saint Francis of Assisi "Where there is hatred, let me sow love."
• Saint Thomas Aquinas "To love is to will the good of the other."
• Saint Catherine of Siena "He who knows how to forgive prepares for himself many graces from God."
• Saint Teresa of Ávila "Love proves itself by deeds."
• Saint John of the Cross "Where there is no love, put love-and you will find love."
• Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque "Spread devotion to the Sacred Heart, the source of divine love."
• Saint Alphonsus Liguori "There is no more powerful means to obtain God's grace than charity."

Timeline of Saints and Popes

Saint	Lifespan	Contribution
Saint Benedict	c. 480-547	Rule of Saint Benedict; emphasis on peace and prayer
Saint Gregory the Great	c. 540-604	Pope and Doctor; emphasized charity and pastoral care
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux	1090-1153	Mystic and Theologian; defined charity as selfless love
Saint Dominic	c. 1170-1221	Founded the Order of Preachers (Dominicans); charity through truth and mercy
Saint Francis of Assisi	1181-1226	Radical charity and forgiveness through simplicity and love
Saint Bonaventure	c. 1217-1274	Franciscan Theologian; love as the fruit of true knowledge
Saint Thomas Aquinas	1225-1274	Theological definition of charity as willing the good of the other
Saint Catherine of Siena	1347-1380	Promoted forgiveness as a grace from God
Saint Teresa of Ávila	1515-1582	Reformer and mystic; love proved by deeds
Saint John of the Cross	1542-1591	Taught about transformative love of God
Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque	1647-1690	Promoted devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Saint Alphonsus Liguori	1696-1787	Emphasized charity as the way to obtain grace

• Saint Alphonsus de Ligouri "When our passion begins to rise, we must have recourse to God, and to the most Holy Mary, who will help us, and obtain strength for us to forgive."
• Saint Augustine "If you do not forgive, you will not be forgiven. You are hanging yourself by your own rope."
• Saint Augustine "What is more beneficial to the soul than to forgive the one who has injured you, so that God may forgive you your sins?"
• Saint Gregory the Great "The proof of love is in the works."
• Saint Leo the Great "Charity, which is the bond of perfection, unites us to God."
• Saint Thomas Aquinas In the Summa Theologiae, he teaches that charity is the highest theological virtue.
• Saint Bonaventure "True knowledge is that which kindles love."
• Pope Leo XIII In Rerum Novarum, he emphasized charity toward the poor as a Christian obligation.
• Pope Saint Pius X Urged frequent Communion as a source of love and mercy.
• Pope Pius XI Stressed reparation to the Sacred Heart as a way of healing hatred and sin.
• Pope Pius XII In his encyclicals, he affirmed that forgiveness and reconciliation are essential elements of true peace.

Timeline of Popes

Pope	Papacy	Contribution
Saint Augustine	354-430	“Our heart is restless until it rests in Thee.”
Saint Gregory the Great	590-604	“The proof of love is in the works.”
Saint Leo the Great	440-461	“Charity unites us to God.”
Saint Alphonsus de Ligouri	1696-1787	Warned against lukewarmness or selective charity - true charity extends even to our enemies.
Pope Leo XIII	1878-1903	Rerum Novarum: charity toward the poor is an obligation.
Pope Pius XI	1922-1939	Emphasized reparation through Sacred Heart devotion.
Pope Pius XII	1939-1958	Forgiveness and reconciliation are essential to peace.
Pope Saint Pius X	1903-1914	Promoted frequent Communion for growth in charity.

• Saint Clement of Rome: 1 Clement “Let us be kind to one another after the example of the merciful and gracious God.”
• Saint Ignatius of Antioch: Letter to the Philadelphians “Where there is charity and humility, there are no divisions.”
• Saint Cyprian of Carthage: On the Lord's Prayer “We must ask that we be forgiven as we forgive... no one can attain the mercy of God unless he himself is merciful.”
• Saint John Chrysostom: Homilies on Matthew “Nothing makes us so like God as our readiness to forgive the wicked and to love our enemies.”
• Saint Augustine: Various Sermons “What does love look like? It has the hands to help others, the feet to hasten to the poor... love is the gift of God.”

• Part I, Article IV of the Creed: Mercy as an Attribute of God God is "rich in mercy" and desires not the death of the sinner, but that he may return and live.
• Part III, The Commandments: Charity as the Supreme Virtue “The love of God and of our neighbor... is the fulfilling of the law and the bond of perfection.”
• Part III, Commandment I: The Fruits of Charity Charity leads to peace, joy, and unity in Christ.
• Part IV, The Lord's Prayer, Petition 5: Forgiveness in the Lord's Prayer “We ask God to forgive our offenses as we forgive others; otherwise, we are unworthy of His mercy.”

The Unforgiving Servant

Summary: A servant is forgiven a great debt but refuses to forgive another.
Reflection on God: God's mercy is vast and undeserved; He forgives our greatest debts.
Reflection on Neighbor: We are called to extend that same mercy to others, not hold grudges.
Bible Reference: Matthew 18:23-35
Scriptural Quote

23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a king, who would take an account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to take the account, one was brought to him, that owed him ten thousand talents. [24] "Talents": A talent was seven hundred and fifty ounces of silver, which at the rate of five shillings to the ounce is a hundred and eighty-seven pounds ten shillings sterling. 25 And as he had not wherewith to pay it, his lord commanded that he should be sold, and his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 But that servant falling down, besought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 And the lord of that servant being moved with pity, let him go and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that servant was gone out, he found one of his fellow servants that owed him an hundred pence: and laying hold of him, throttled him, saying: Pay what thou oweSaint [28] "Pence": The Roman penny was the eighth part of an ounce, that is, about sevenpence half-penny English. 29 And his fellow servant falling down, besought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he paid the debt. 31 Now his fellow servants seeing what was done, were very much grieved, and they came and told their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord called him; and said to him: Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all the debt, because thou besoughtest me: 33 Shouldst not thou then have had compassion also on thy fellow servant, even as I had compassion on thee? 34 And his lord being angry, delivered him to the torturers until he paid all the debt. 35 So also shall my heavenly Father do to you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts.

The Prodigal Son

Summary: A wayward son is welcomed home with love and celebration.
Reflection on God: God is a loving Father who welcomes us back with joy, no matter how far we stray.
Reflection on Neighbor: We should celebrate others' redemption, not resent their forgiveness.
Bible Reference: Luke 15:11-32
Scriptural Quote

11 And he said: A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father: Father, give me the portion of substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his substance. 13 And not many days after, the younger son, gathering all together, went abroad into a far country: and there wasted his substance, living riotously. 14 And after he had spent all, there came a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and cleaved to one of the citizens of that country. And he sent him into his farm to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks the swine did eat; and no man gave unto him. 17 And returning to himself, he said: How many hired servants in my father's house abound with bread, and I here perish with hunger? 18 I will arise, and will go to my father, and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee: 19 I am not worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And rising up he came to his father. And when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and running to him fell upon his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, I am not now worthy to be called thy son. 22 And the father said to his servants: Bring forth quickly the first robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat and make merry: 24 Because this my son was dead, and is come to life again: was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 25 Now his elder son was in the field, and when he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing: 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him: Thy brother is come, and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in. His father therefore coming out began to entreat him. 29 And he answering, said to his father: Behold, for so many years do I serve thee, and I have never transgressed thy commandment, and yet thou hast never given me a kid to make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son is come, who hath devoured his substance with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31 But he said to him: Son, thou art always with me, and all I have is thine. 32 But it was fit that we should make merry and be glad, for this thy brother was dead and is come to life again; he was lost, and is found.

The Two Debtors

Summary: Jesus teaches that those forgiven much love much.
Reflection on God: God's forgiveness inspires deep love and gratitude.
Reflection on Neighbor: Recognizing our own need for mercy helps us be more compassionate.
Bible Reference: Luke 7:41-43
Scriptural Quote

41 A certain creditor had two debtors, the one who owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And whereas they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which therefore of the two loveth him most? 43 Simon answering, said: I suppose that he to whom he forgave most. And he said to him: Thou hast judged rightly.

Laborers in the Vineyard

Summary: Workers hired at different times all receive the same wage - God's grace is generous and undeserved.
Reflection on God: God's grace is not earned - it is freely given.
Reflection on Neighbor: We should not envy others' blessings but rejoice in God's generosity.
Bible Reference: Matthew 20:1-16
Scriptural Quote

1 The kingdom of heaven is like to an householder, who went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. 2 And having agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And going out about the third hour, he saw others standing in the market place idle. 4 And he said to them: Go you also into my vineyard, and I will give you what shall be juSaint 5 And they went their way. And again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did in like manner. 6 But about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing, and he saith to them: Why stand you here all the day idle? 7 They say to him: Because no man hath hired us. He saith to them: Go you also into my vineyard. 8 And when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard saith to his steward: Call the labourers and pay them their hire, beginning from the last even to the firSaint 9 When therefore they were come, that came about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. 10 But when the first also came, they thought that they should receive more: and they also received every man a penny. 11 And receiving it they murmured against the master of the house, 12 Saying: These last have worked but one hour, and thou hast made them equal to us, that have borne the burden of the day and the heats. 13 But he answering said to one of them: Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny? 14 Take what is thine, and go thy way: I will also give to this last even as to thee. 15 Or, is it not lawful for me to do what I will? is thy eye evil, because I am good? [15] "What I will": Viz., with my own, and in matters that depend on my own bounty. 16 So shall the last be first, and the first laSaint For many are called, but few chosen.

The Good Samaritan

Summary: A Samaritan helps a wounded man when others pass by.
Reflection on God: God's love crosses boundaries and prejudices.
Reflection on Neighbor: Every person in need is our neighbor - compassion is our calling.
Bible Reference: Luke 10:30-37
Scriptural Quote

30 And Jesus answering, said: A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, who also stripped him, and having wounded him went away, leaving him half dead. 31 And it chanced, that a certain priest went down the same way: and seeing him, passed by. 32 In like manner also a Levite, when he was near the place and saw him, passed by. 33 But a certain Samaritan being on his journey, came near him; and seeing him, was moved with compassion. 34 And going up to him, bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine: and setting him upon his own beast, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two pence, and gave to the host, and said: Take care of him; and whatsoever thou shalt spend over and above, I, at my return, will repay thee. 36 Which of these three, in thy opinion, was neighbour to him that fell among the robbers? 37 But he said: He that shewed mercy to him. And Jesus said to him: Go, and do thou in like manner.

The Rich Man and Lazarus

Summary: A rich man ignores a poor beggar and faces judgment.
Reflection on God: God sees the suffering of the poor and holds the powerful accountable.
Reflection on Neighbor: Ignoring others' pain leads to spiritual poverty.
Bible Reference: Luke 16:19-31
Scriptural Quote

19 There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen; and feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, who lay at his gate, full of sores, 21 Desiring to be filled with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table, and no one did give him; moreover the dogs came, and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. And the rich man also died: and he was buried in hell. [22] "Abraham's bosom": The place of rest, where the souls of the saints resided, till Christ had opened heaven by his death. 23 And lifting up his eyes when he was in torments, he saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom: 24 And he cried, and said: Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, to cool my tongue: for I am tormented in this flame. 25 And Abraham said to him: Son, remember that thou didst receive good things in thy lifetime, and likewise Lazarus evil things, but now he is comforted; and thou art tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you, there is fixed a great chaos: so that they who would pass from hence to you, cannot, nor from thence come hither. 27 And he said: Then, father, I beseech thee, that thou wouldst send him to my father's house, for I have five brethren, 28 That he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torments. 29 And Abraham said to him: They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 But he said: No, father Abraham: but if one went to them from the dead, they will do penance. 31 And he said to him: If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe, if one rise again from the dead.

The Sheep and the Goats

Summary: Judgment based on acts of kindness and mercy.
Reflection on God: Serving others is serving Christ Himself.
Reflection on Neighbor: Our treatment of the vulnerable reflects our true faith.
Bible Reference: Matthew 25:31-46
Scriptural Quote

31 And when the Son of man shall come in his majesty, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit upon the seat of his majesty. 32 And all nations shall be gathered together before him, and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. 34 Then shall the king say to them that shall be on his right hand: Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in: 36 Naked, and you covered me: sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me. 37 Then shall the just answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, and fed thee; thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 And when did we see thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and covered thee? 39 Or when did we see thee sick or in prison, and came to thee? 40 And the king answering, shall say to them: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me. 41 Then he shall say to them also that shall be on his left hand: Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry, and you gave me not to eat: I was thirsty, and you gave me not to drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you took me not in: naked, and you covered me not: sick and in prison, and you did not visit me. 44 Then they also shall answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to thee? 45 Then he shall answer them, saying: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it not to one of these least, neither did you do it to me. 46 And these shall go into everlasting punishment: but the just, into life everlasting.

The Great Banquet

Summary: The poor and marginalized are invited when others reject the invitation.
Reflection on God: God invites the overlooked and rejected into His kingdom.
Reflection on Neighbor: We must welcome and honor those society excludes.
Bible Reference: Luke 14:16-24
Scriptural Quote

16 But he said to him: A certain man made a great supper, and invited many. 17 And he sent his servant at the hour of supper to say to them that were invited, that they should come, for now all things are ready. 18 And they began all at once to make excuse. The first said to him: I have bought a farm, and I must needs go out and see it: I pray thee, hold me excused. 19 And another said: I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to try them: I pray thee, hold me excused. 20 And another said: I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21 And the servant returning, told these things to his lord. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant: Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the feeble, and the blind, and the lame. 22 And the servant said: Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23 And the Lord said to the servant: Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 But I say unto you, that none of those men that were invited, shall taste of my supper.

The Friend at Midnight

Summary: A man persistently asks for help and receives it - charity through persistence.
Reflection on God: God responds to persistent prayer and need.
Reflection on Neighbor: We should be generous even when it is inconvenient.
Bible Reference: Luke 11:5-8
Scriptural Quote

5 And he said to them: Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and shall say to him: Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 Because a friend of mine is come off his journey to me, and I have not what to set before him. 7 And he from within should answer, and say: Trouble me not, the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. 8 Yet if he shall continue knocking, I say to you, although he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend; yet, because of his importunity, he will rise, and give him as many as he needeth.

The Speck and the Log

Summary: Do not judge others without examining your own faults.
Reflection on God: God calls us to honest self-examination.
Reflection on Neighbor: We must address our own flaws before judging others.
Bible Reference: Matthew 7:1-5
Scriptural Quote

1 Judge not, that you may not be judged, 2 For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why seest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye; and seest not the beam that is in thy own eye? 4 Or how sayest thou to thy brother: Let me cast the mote out of thy eye; and behold a beam is in thy own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam in thy own eye, and then shalt thou see to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Summary: A humble prayer is more pleasing than self-righteousness.
Reflection on God: God honors humility over self-righteousness.
Reflection on Neighbor: True righteousness is not about status - it is about heart.
Bible Reference: Luke 18:9-14
Scriptural Quote

9 And to some who trusted in themselves as just, and despised others, he spoke also this parable: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee standing, prayed thus with himself: O God, I give thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, as also is this publican. 12 I fast twice in a week: I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: O God, be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I say to you, this man went down into his house justified rather than the other: because every one that exalteth himself, shall be humbled: and he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted.

The Two Sons

Summary: Actions speak louder than words in obedience to God.
Reflection on God: God values obedience over empty words.
Reflection on Neighbor: Actions speak louder than promises in relationships.
Bible Reference: Matthew 21:28-32
Scriptural Quote

28 But what think you? A certain man had two sons; and coming to the first, he said: Son, go work today in my vineyard. 29 And he answering, said: I will not. But afterwards, being moved with repentance, he went. 30 And coming to the other, he said in like manner. And he answering, said: I go, Sir; and he went not. 31 Which of the two did the father's will? They say to him: The firSaint Jesus saith to them: Amen I say to you, that the publicans and the harlots shall go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of justice, and you did not believe him. But the publicans and the harlots believed him: but you, seeing it, did not even afterwards repent, that you might believe him.

The Barren Fig Tree

Summary: A warning to self-examine and bear fruit before it is too late.
Reflection on God: God gives us time to grow - but expects fruit.
Reflection on Neighbor: We should encourage growth in others, not condemn prematurely.
Bible Reference: Luke 13:6-9
Scriptural Quote

6 He spoke also this parable: A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none. 7 And he said to the dresser of the vineyard: Behold, for these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down therefore: why cumbereth it the ground? 8 But he answering, said to him: Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig about it, and dung it. 9 And if happily it bear fruit: but if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

The New Cloth and Wineskins

Summary: You cannot mix old habits with new life - transformation requires change.
Reflection on God: God invites transformation, not patchwork fixes.
Reflection on Neighbor: We must be open to change - in ourselves and others.
Bible Reference: Matthew 9:16-17
Scriptural Quote

16 And nobody putteth a piece of raw cloth unto an old garment. For it taketh away the fulness thereof from the garment, and there is made a greater rent. 17 Neither do they put new wine into old bottles. Otherwise the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish. But new wine they put into new bottles: and both are preserved.

• Freedman & Enright, 1996, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
  “Forgiveness therapy significantly reduced depression, anxiety, and anger in clinical populations.”
• Toussaint, Worthington, & Williams, 2015, Forgiveness and Health
  “Forgiveness promotes emotional healing and a sense of peace.”
• Lawler et al., 2003, Psychosomatic Medicine
  “Forgiveness is associated with lower resting blood pressure and heart rate.”
• Witvliet et al., 2001, Psychological Science
  “Forgiving thoughts prompted significant stress reduction... suggesting immune benefits.”
• Lewis B. Smedes, Forgive and Forget, 1984
  “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.”
• McCullough et al., 1998, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
  “Forgiveness is essential for repairing personal relationships and building trust.”
• Worthington et al., 2007, Journal of Psychology and Christianity
  “Forgiveness interventions reduce retaliatory behaviors and increase prosocial responses.”
• Bernard Meltzer
  “When you forgive, you in no way change the past - but you sure do change the future.”