There is no healing on our body, if we don’t forgive others the injuries what they have done to us. We cannot say I forgive but never forget. Yes it is true, it is very hard to forgive and forget the bad deed that we have suffered, says St George Preca, so we need the divine assistance.

“To err is human to forgive divine” writes Alexander Pope, so we need the help from Jesus especially in the Holy Eucharist, we must trust in Him and beg Him to help us forgive. He said to us, “Come to Me and I will help you.”

He surely helps us. Jesus showed us forgiveness not only through words but also by forgiving those who nailed Him to the Cross. Another thing that helps us to forgive, so we enjoy healing, is to separate the person who hurts us from the bad thing that he had done to us. This means that we remain loving the person, because he is an image of God, but hate his bad action that he had done to us. It is true that there is no healing in our hearts, and no salvation for Eternal life, if we don’t forgive others.

After being held prisoner for 27 years by an oppressive government in South Africa Nelson Mandela was released. Rather than seeking revenge Mandela urged his people to seek reconciliation. He even invited his former jailor to attend his presidential inauguration as his special guest. Mandela said, “if there are dreams about a beautiful South Africa there are also roads that lead to their goal. Two of these roads could be named, ‘Goodness and forgiveness’”.

Surely Mandela managed to behave in such a way through the help of God.

So let’s live in peace these few years here on earth, and let nothing destroy our true peace from our hearts.

■ Carmel Caruana

San Gwann