“Forgive and Forget”: Is It Really Possible?

Is it really possible to forgive and forget? No, it’s not in our power, but only with the power of the Holy Spirit can we forgive those who have hurt us. The Catechism states:

“It is not in our power not to feel or to forget an offense; but the heart that offers itself to the Holy Spirit turns injury into compassion and purifies the memory in transforming the hurt into intercession” (CCC 2843).

When we forgive, we can see the person who hurt us the way God sees them. The person who hurt you does not know how to love, and that is usually because they have never been truly loved. Forgiveness lets us see their brokenness, and gives us the grace to pray for their healing.

So it is not possible to forgive without God’s grace, but since he calls us to be free he longs for us to invite him into that hurt. If you’ve been unforgiving toward someone, God wants to free you from that unforgiveness. Leave justice to the Lord, and live with the peace of Christ:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).

Think of our mother Mary, who watched as her son was murdered before her eyes. Pray the Rosary and let her teach you how to forgive as she and her son have, because it is in forgiving that we truly gain victory.

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[TheKyPerson]

A priest once told me that a good prayer is: "Forgive him, Lord because right now I can't" I found it helps very much.

[SC]

Fr Mike says.. Forgiveness is assessing everything the person has done to you, what it has cost you, and then saying I release you from having to pay me back, and give it to God.

[meb]

Thank you for this, I was abused growing up as a child and teen. Then married an abusive ex husband, and now four years later I am can say that the holy spirit really did heal me. The brokenness, PTSD, and having an annulment, now getting married to an amazing Catholic guy who has shown what love really is supposed to look like. God really is good. 🙏

[flowergirl]

I was raped as a twelve year old I'm nearly twenty now but I still find it hard to forgive and forget to this person. I even think violent thoughts towards them. (they live far away and I would never do this ) but I pray on it all the time. And I do pray for them. It really does helps

[carlitoscoolx]

I just prayed twice n the second time. She mentioned of the holy spirit n to pray to it I cried. I've been in pain n anger I pray n it wont go away. But this video was so touching n inspirational. O holy spirit come to me n liberate me of this resentment n find peace n forgiveness for the people that did me wrong n find peace in Gods love n mercy. Amen.

[YananoBere]

I don't think I've ever seen Jackie this emotional. Thank you for this gift 🙏🏾Forgiveness is hard, but such a necessary part of reconnecting with who we are outside of our pain.

[cleomanuel]

Mary, our blessed mother gave us an example. Imagine how she feels, the sorrows she went through, witnessing how her son was crucified because of persecutions, took it all with dignity. She has forgiven those who hurt her son and moved on.

[wreloise]

My dear Heavenly Father, In the name of Jesus Christ with the power of the Holy Spirit to be compassionate towards those that Offended me 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️

[sarahzepeda]

When my first love broke up with me, I was hurt for a long time, and bitterness was easy to pick apart everything I thought he fell short in. But eventually, one day I saw him and thought he is also the Father's, and I was honored to love him for the time I did. Remembering the true identity of all of us, Chosen and Loved by the Almighty God really is a powerful change in perspective. It doesn't mean that all the hurt goes away, but the bitterness does, and healing begins

[stephenlennartz]

"... and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us ..."
Very powerful part of The Lord's Prayer. Definitely not always easy ... but a pretty good guide as far as what we should strive to do. Thank you, Jackie! Blessings to all.

[anthonyvadakkan]

"Turn to Holy amazing.
It really helped me.
Thank you.

[zuzanna]

Jackie you are my inspiration, I really want to be as passionate in faith as you are. You are beatiful and I don't mean just your soul. I'm so thankful for your videos. Please pray for me so I can be a good wife to my fiance and mother someday but most important to be a good catholic. God bless ❤❤❤

[DeadNetCord]

I'll keep it short: this was one of the deepest videos I've ever seen on youtube. Thank you Jackie

[ranaasali]

I'm crying as I'm watching this. I have been struggling. I'm an emotional wreck. My heart was torn into a million pieces. My confidence shattered. My dreams crushed. My spirit is broken. I look alive, but in truth I am dead...I've been looking, searching for an answer, a solution, a door, but couldn't find any.
Thank you, you have saved me from me!..Thank God that I have stumbled across you..the mountain on my shoulders has just lifted!..Thank you from the deepest corners of my heart and soul..😞💖🙏

[bootz]

A great talk! The deepest wounds in my life have come from the people I least expected would cause them. Just like the flesh stripped from Christ as he was cruelly lashed, may God tear from my hardened heart, any and all unforgiveness so as to be free from the yoke of revenge and the poison of a pained-heart that wants retribution. May the balm of peace return once again. Amen.

[jessnataliemgalu]

Jackie you were so emotional and I just loved that about you, it’s just amazing. God bless you, remember Jesus loves you ❤️👌🏾🇰🇪☀️💕🙏🏾

[anthonyvadakkan]

God is great. This talk is need of time as it has happened to me now. God's amazing unexpected intervention through CCC.

[faithbreathes]

Lord, take the pain that others have given me and use it for their salvation

[faithfulprofessional]

This is amazing Jackie. I just watched your 54 days novena and my petition is for me to have a heart that is free from anger and be freed from an awful memor. I'm in my 3rd day already and God has given me a sign 😭

[elizabethsoares]

i really needed to hear this message today. thank you thank you thank you and God bless you.