The power of forgiveness was the theme of a recent homily by the Rev. Victor Yakubu of St. Mary Roman Catholic Church in Kingman.

Fr. Yakubu noted that Christ teaches us to use our free will to focus on Christian principles when we are in a dispute with another who has harmed us.

"Free will is an important gift from God that is necessary for human existence," Yakubu said in the church's Sept. 6 bulletin. “God graciously bestows the gift of choice on humans to enable them to make excellent decisions to live happily. … In making daily decisions, we fall into two categories: The first choice leads us towards compassion while the second takes compassion away.”

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone,” Yakubu quoted the Lord Jesus in the bulletin. In the same way, two friends should discuss their conflicts without destroying their relationship. Our free will gives us the power to heal and to find common ground before a dispute becomes overpowering.

Our free will and the grace of God help us choose the better way when we are ill treated by another. The role of forgiveness is to lead us to reconciliation Without some measure of forgiveness, there will be conflict.

“This attitude shows a lack of love and causes great pain to the other party,” Yakubu said. “We willingly drive a simple matter into state adjudication that takes years and deep pockets to resolve. ... Negative choices can derail the Christian from his obligations to his neighbor as ‘your brother’s keeper’ and lead to dangerous attitudes that negate Christian principles.”

The better choice is to seek reconciliation. 

“Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law,” Yakubu quoted St. Paul's letter to the Romans. “Love covers all weaknesses of our opponents and brings out the best in us. Who among us can boast that he is without sin?

“At one point in our lives, a single individual renewed our lives by simply forgiving us. How many times did your mother or father forgive you? When that happens, therefore, why can’t you forgive your opponent and share the joy of a renewed relationship?”

“The Lord never tires of forgiving,” he continued, quoting Pope Francis at his first angelus in March 2013. “It is we who tire of asking for forgiveness.”

Fr. Yakubu concluded by encouraging his parishioners to seek reconciliation with those who have injured them.

”Exercise your free will by seeking reconciliation, for true forgiveness can only come from above,” he said. “Keep praying!”