Who is in Heaven. [Matt. 5:24] And of this He Himself set us the example on the cross, praying His Eternal Father to forgive those who were crucifying Him.
"He who pardons his enemy," says St. John Chrysostom, "cannot but obtain God's pardon for himself;" and we have the Divine assurance of it: Forgive, and you shall be forgiven. [Luke 6:37] There was a certain religious, who otherwise had not led a very exemplary life, at the hour of. death bewailed his sins, not without great confidence and joy, because, said he, "I have never avenged an injury done me;" as much as to say: It is true that I have offended the Lord, but He has engaged to pardon him who pardons his enemies; I have pardoned all who offended me, so then I am confident God will likewise pardon me.
But to speak with reference to all persons in general; how can we, sinners as we are, despair of pardon, when we think of Jesus Christ? For this very object the Eternal Word humbled Himself so far as to take human flesh, that we might procure our pardon from God: I am come, not to call the just, but sinners. [Matt. 9:13] Hence we may address Him in the words of St. Bernard: "Where Thou didst empty Thyself, there Thy mercy, there Thy charity, shone forth the more." And St. Thomas of Villanova gives us excellent encouragement, saying: "What art thou afraid of, O poor sinner? How shall He condemn thee if thou be penitent, Who died expressly that thou mightest not be condemned? How shall He reject thee, if thou
