"The greatest gift we can give is forgiveness, for it sets free both the giver and the receiver." St. Junipero Serra

The power of non-forgiveness is bondage for both the offender and the offended. It is another lie of the Evil One that says the other person does not deserve forgiveness and you have a right to harbor anger and resentment for what was done to you. But the irony of our actions is that while we choose to refuse forgiveness to the other, we cry out for God in his mercy to forgive us. While God's forgiveness is unconditional, we block it by our refusal to forgive another. Recall the words of Jesus. "If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions." (Mt 6:14-15) Forgiveness is not a one-way street. For you to be free, you must first free the other.