'Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”'

— Matthew 18:21-22 (NKJV)

We have been led by our own pride and ignorance to believe that forgiveness makes us weak and cowardly. But failing to forgive those who did us wrong will stir up anger and hate in the soul.

How often do we ruminate on the evil deeds that others have done to us?

We thus do not forgive only for the sake of the person next to us. We forgive for ourselves as well; to cleanse our souls from malice and resentment.

The reason for forgiving is not weakness, but love.