691 the first word thus, He might be able to forgive us our greatest debts, which we forgive others.”10 One could wonder, why among Christians who ought to be connected by the bond of mutual love so that all might have one heart and soul, as it is written about the early Church in the Acts of the Apostles: “Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul” (Acts 4:32); why, I say, in our turbulent times, are there such disagreements, not to say such enmity, among Christians that it is scarcely possible to find anyone who does not have an enemy or a persecutor? Chiari asserts that this circumstance occurs according to Divine Permission, so that — by forgiving others — we also might obtain pardon from God. “For He, desiring to have an occasion for forgiveness, allows offenses among men to happen, so that all of us might have some debtors, whom we must forgive, so that He might forgive us our greatest debts, which we have forgiven others” (Orat. 53 onMt.).11 We, however, are so shamelessly mad that we prefer to be thrown into hell rather than to bear patiently, to forgive, and to immerse in the wounds of the Savior a sarcastic remark, a little contempt, a light injury brought upon us. Yet, at the same time, we cry out daily to the Heavenly Father, “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us” (cf. Mt 6:12). Therefore, either we must forgive, or, if we do not forgive, we are lying in the presence of God. But for what benefit? To multiply the number of our debts? That is absurd and the greatest madness. Rather, grant pardon even to those who do not seek it, so that — by forgiving — we might receive forgiveness from God. We must forgive so that we may be forgiven. My Christian, listen to your Master and Leader speaking from the pulpit of the Cross. What does He say? “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Consider each individual word, how full of mystery they are! He urges the Father; He entreats the Father; He who so perfectly proved to be His Son that He 10 Isidorius Clarius, Oratio 53: In Orationem Dominicam: In sermonem Domini in monte habitum Secundum Matthaeum Orationes sexagintanovem ad Populum, Venetiis 1556, f.210v. 11 Ibid.
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