CATHOLICS MUST embrace the gift of forgiveness because it is an innate part of their identity that leads to spiritual renewal, a representative of Pope Francis said.
Apostolic nuncio to the Philippines Charles John Brown said true Christianity surpasses the principle of “eye for an eye” justice in the Book of Exodus.
“It means for us as Christians, we need to forgive. Forgiveness is the path to new life. Forgiveness is the way of the Lord Jesus. Forgiveness is in our DNA as Christians,” Brown said in his homily celebrating the Double Jubilee of St. Thomas Aquinas on Tuesday, March 5.
The mass, held at the Quadricentennial Pavilion, was part of the three-day university-wide retreat commemorating the 700th anniversary of Aquinas’ canonization and his 750th death anniversary.
“St. Thomas says…we are required to forgive our neighbor the offenses which he commits against us. For this reason, we say, forgive those who trespass against us. Otherwise, God would not forgive us,” the prelate added.
According to Brown, forgiveness is shown when someone takes no vengeance on those who wronged him.
The papal envoy cited the form of mercy embodied by the late Philippine president Elpidio Quirino. Despite losing his wife and children to Japanese forces during World War II, Quirino pardoned the Japanese war criminals in 1953, allowing them to return home through executive clemency.
“He (Quirino) becomes president, and what does he do as president? He forgave them (Japanese forces). He granted them executive clemency. This gesture of forgiveness [is an] amazing gesture of forgiveness of pardon which every Filipino should know because it’s so moving,” he said.
Brown also noted that growing in God’s grace helps people understand forgiveness in “a more perfect way.” He added that forgiveness serves as a “litmus test” for the authenticity of one’s faith, a concept deeply contemplated by the University’s patron, St. Thomas Aquinas.
Aquinas, a Dominican saint and patron of UST, is widely renowned as one of the greatest theologians. He is best known for his work Summa Theologica, which tackled the nature and existence of God.
Aquinas was canonized by Pope John XXII on July 18, 1323, 49 years after his death.
The university-wide retreat, carrying the theme “Lord, nothing but you: Faith, Hope, and Love in the Heart of Saint Thomas,” will span from March 5 to 7. F
